Embedded in the garden alongside Alfred Nathan House resides ‘Coronet’ (1993). Three bronze cast native flora stems make up the sculptural triptych; resembling a fern, a Nikau palm and flowering flax. The title ‘Coronet’ references a type of crown in British heraldry, worn by a non-reigning royal or aristocrat.

The work is part of a series of bronze sculptures of natural forms that Hellyar titled after historical adornments, drawing attention to the beauty of the natural world rather than that of a human wearer.

Initially, the university acquired another of Hellyar’s works from this series, ‘Armlet’ (1993), which was installed on campus near the Business School between 1993-2019. In 2020 the work was deaccessioned after being damaged beyond repair, and ‘Coronet’ was acquired in its place.

Writing about Armlet, Linda Tyler states:

"Armlets are decorative bands usually worn above the bicep and made from a precious material such as gold or silver. Why then have these three bronze sculptures been given that title?

Based on native plants, fern, palm and flowering flax, they are sited in ... a small [garden] plot which is formally planted to resemble an eighteenth century European garden. 'Armlet' comes from a series of the artist’s works which are titled to make reference to the adornments of classical antiquity – amulet, necklet, coronet, diadem. Two of the sets of three stems – 'Spray' and 'Corsage' – were also titled for the European tradition of women wearing flowers for special occasions. The three stems that make up 'Armlet' are meant to stand as sentinels in attendance upon Mother Nature, and to draw attention to her beauty through their own....

...The artist writes that she likes to think of the three different kinds of plants in 'Armlet' dancing together in this European garden – fern, palm and flowering flax united once again as they were in pre-colonial times."

~ quoted from Linda Tyler, 'Armlet: about this work,' University of Auckland Art Collection.