In 2017 I was approached by the Royal New Zealand Navy to help design a ships badge for the newly commissioned land based ship the HMNZS Matataua. This was originally the Littorial Warfare Unit.
After a few ideas and some consultations the below design with the head of the taihia, land and sea was chosen.
Tradition dictates that the final image is to be an archival painting that is signed off by the Chief of the Navy and the New Zealand Herald of Arms. Below is the final painting that was presented to the Navy on the commissioning of the ship.
Credit must go to the crew of the HMNZS Matataua for the intricate design of the taihia which tells the story of the Matataua, which means 'eyes of the war party'.
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Soon after the Training Ship HMNZS Godley needed a badge. This features an image of the far travelling Godwit.
The initial painting (below right) was rejected as not quite Godwitty enough and re-done (main image below).
Also a painting of the final signed, framed painting.
The Royal New Zealand Navy has commissioned a new tanker to the replace the aging HMNZS Endeavour. The new purpose built HMNZS Aotearoa will be bought into service in 2021.
A public competition was run to design the badge for this vessel. The below image was chosen and i wa asked to render the final painting. The Chief of Navy at the time Admiral John Martin asked for a slight variation of the design adding the Southern Cross, I did both paintings for comparitive purposes.
The RNZN had a dedicated hydrographic support vessel the HMNZS Resolution and a dive vessel the HMNZS Manawanui. The decision was made to combine the two roles. In 2019 the Navy took delivery of the newly commissioned HMNZS Manawanui. As the new vessel served both the 'droggies' and divers a new badge was deemed necessary. The below is the new design of which I painted the archival version.
Late in 2020 I was contacted by the Navy to 're-imagine' the badge for the HMNZS Philomel. Image above of the final painting waiting for the signatures of the Chief of the Navy and the New Zealand Herald
All paintings above are done in gouache and finished on acid free art board. The actual badge size of the painting is around 160 x 210mm.
It has been a pleasure and an absolute honour to do these paintings for Royal New Zealand Navy. Before we started on the act of finally painting the HMNZS Matataua a great deal of research was done as there hadn't been a commissioning for quite a while. The colours were clearly defined and adhered to and the crown was recreated from original paintings of ships badges. I've able to attend commissioning of ships and Change of Command ceremonies at HMNZS Philomel and even lunch in the Officiers Mess with the Admiral!