Christchurch city Coat of Arms Motto: Christchurch, New Zealand
Project Description
Christchurch city Coat of Arms Motto: Christchurch, NZ
During the 2026 NZ Christian Network citywide Christchurch Prayer Breakfast - which was a partnership between the city’s church leaders (including Te Raranga) and NZCN -
Pastor Clint Ussher of The Well Church - drew inspiration from the Christchurch Coat of Arms Motto: — Fide Condita, Fructu Beata, Spe Fortis (‘Founded in Faith, Rich in the Fulfilment Thereof, Strong in Hope for the Future’)
Sharing how those three phrases from our city Coat of Arms Motto - provide faithful and prophetic prayer prompts: giving thanks for our foundation in the Christian faith, praying for the fruitfulness of that faith in Christchurch city today, and remaining strong in hope for the future.
(Pastor Clint later shared how he and Ps Don Scott of Te Raranga had recalled being encouraged years ago by the late Max Palmer to reflect on the Christchurch Coat of Arms Motto for spiritual inspiration regarding the cities founding, fruitfulness and future. Our city status having been endorsed even by Queen Victoria way back in 1856 via the Coat of Arms.)
Further explantion:
The "First Four Ships" (the Charlotte-Jane, the Randolph, the Sir George Seymour and the Cressy) which arrived in 1850 with the first settlers of the area. The mitre symbolizes that Christchurch was planned as a Church of England settlement and was made under the Bishop's authority, with city status, by Queen Victoria in 1856.
The fleece and garb denote the agricultural and pastoral pursuits of the surrounding region. The two bars wavy represent the two rivers running through the city: the Avon and Heathcote.
On the blue and gold wreath of the helmet is a kiwi, a flightless native bird, which is also used as a New Zealand national emblem. The pūkeko is another native bird found in and around the Christchurch City area.
