Ships’ Mottos

A ship’s motto is generally chosen by the Commanding Officer, and is approved by the Chief of Naval Staff once approved the motto remains with the ship for its life. These rules follow those promulgated for the Royal Navy and which were accepted when the Naval Board first began approving badges and mottoes in the 1940s. A number of ships use the motto chosen by earlier ships of the name, and this is very much the situation today, no new mottoes having been approved since 1955. When first commissioned the Commanding Officers of ships acquired since that time have not sought to have mottoes approved, although the opportunity has been given. Many mottoes are in Latin or Maori and often there are alternative translations. The translations given here are those stated in the relevant files.

[1] The motto of the City of Edinburgh

[2] From the motto of Captain James Cook

[3] The motto of the Olphert Family

[4] This was the Dominion of New Zealand’s motto in 1912 when the ship was commissioned.

The mottos that have been approved as at 15 October 2013

Achilles

Bellona

Black Prince

Canterbury

Chatham

Diomede

Dunedin

Endeavour

Hawea

Irirangi

Kaniere

Kiwi

Lachlan

Leander

Maori

Monowai

Ngapona

Olphert

Otago

Pegasus

Philomel

Pukaki

Rotoiti

Royalist

Sea Cadet Corps

Tamaki

Tasman

Taupo

Te Kaha

Te Mana

Toroa

Tui

Tutira

Wakakura

Wellington

824 Squadron FAA

Fortiter in re (Bravely in action)

Battle is our business

Houmout (With high courage)

Kotahitanga (United we stand)

Loyal and True

Fortibus feroces frangentur (The fierce are broken by the strong)

Nisi Dominus Frusta (Without the Lord in vain)[1]

Nil Intentatum (Nothing unattempted)[2]

Kia Toa (Be brave)

Navibus et orbi (For the ships and to the world)

Kia Maia (Be brave)

Riria Te Pono (Faithful unto death)

Safe and Sound

Qui patitur (Who suffers conquers)

Ake Ake Kai Kaha (Fight on forever)

Waikato Taniwharau (Waikato of a hundred taniwha)

Ka Mahi Tatou (We serve together)

Fortis in arduis (Strength in adversity)[3]

He Kaitiaki no nga tai ki te Tonga (Southern Guardian)

Non sibi sed patrie (Not for one’s self but for one’s country) & In navibus felix (Happy in their ships) – used 1952-1955

Fide et fortitudine (By faith and fortitude)

Kua Pukekotia (To become experienced, knowing)

Takaia (Bind together)

Surtout loyal (Loyal above all things)

Ready aye ready

Ake Ake Kia Kaha (Fight on forever)

Servabo fidem (I shall keep faith)

Kia U (Standfast)

He Pononga Kaha (Service with strength)

Kokiri Kia U (Striving towards perfection)

Whaia te Marama (Follow the gleam)

Tohea te Tohe (Be brave and determined)

Tutira Upoko Pipi (Tutira the place where the heads are softened or broken)

Kai Kaha (Be strong)

Suprema ut olim (Supreme as ever)

Una feriendo delmus (By striking together we destroy)

Unofficial – it is believed these were adopted by the ship’s companies and it is unsure if these were approved formally.

Awatere

Hinau

James Cosgrove

Kaiwaka

Maimai

Matai

New Entry School

HMS New Zealand

Rata

Thomas Currell

Kia Ora Katoa Kia Kaha (Good luck, everybody be strong)

Kai Mataara (Be Watchful)

Audendo atque agendo (By daring and doing)

Per ardua ad alta (Through steep places to the heights)

Whawhai Tonu Ake Ake (For ever and ever be strong)

Ake Ake Kia Kaha (Fight on forever)

Ne exeat (No free time)

Onward[4]

Pro rata (In proportion)

Ex ungue leonem (Know the lion by its claw)

Bibliography

[1] The motto of the City of Edinburgh

[2] From the motto of Captain James Cook

[3] The motto of the Olphert Family

[4] This was the Dominion of New Zealand’s motto in 1912 when the ship was commissioned.

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