NEW PATCH FOR PADRES

The Army’s chaplains have a new uniform patch.

The patch features the taiaha, a crook, and mountains.

The taiaha is a Māori weapon which is a symbol used by the NZ Army. The orientation of the taiaha in the NZ Army Crest is in the combatant position as the blade is the predominant attaching part of the weapon. A chaplain is a warrior and may wield a weapon but is also a non-combatant therefore the chaplains’ patch depicts the taiaha in the position of whakatā – rest.

The crook is the instrument of a shepherd, which symbolizes the provision of pastoral support. The mountains symbolise journeys, assistance, and the three mountains which can be viewed from Waiouru, the Army’s spiritual home. They also symbolise each of the three single services as Army chaplains serve in a tri-service directorate.

Purple and black are the colours of the Royal New Zealand Chaplains Department. They are seen in the chaplains’ stable belt (which is partially seen within the design) and in their preaching scarf. These are religious colours – in the church purple is a Bishop’s colour and black is the colour of a cassock worn by a priest.