Star Fern Flag for New Zealand

Star Fern Flag for New Zealand

Summary

A new National Flag is proposed for all New Zealanders, using the colours of nature to represent the beauty of our country. An additional Celebration Flag (Mana Flag) is also proposed for honouring New Zealanders' cultural, sporting and other achievements involving courage and determination, featuring the black, white and red colours often used in Maori meeting-houses and decorations.

Both flags have the red and white stars of the Southern Cross on the hoist (flag-pole) side, and a Silver Fern on the fly side. The fern is angled to match the north-easterly direction of the South Island, and the Southern Cross angled to match the north-westerly direction of the upper North Island, and with the two symbols coming together in a V shape.

The stars are red for two reasons; red to represent mana, as on Maori flags, and red with white edges and blue background to echo the colouring of the Union Jack. The colours symbolize that our country has both Maori and British heritage, while the four stars (north, south, east and west) acknowledge New Zealanders who have come from all over the world.

The silver fern is a unique New Zealand icon. It also symbolizes people in their communities, linked together by a ribbon of silver running through the middle, symbolising a road of peace and progress.

It is proposed that the present Flag (New Zealand Blue Ensign) remain an official national flag, especially for ANZAC day and other military commemorations. A similar compromise is used by Canada.

The Star Fern flag is simple and speaks clearly of New Zealand using well-known symbols.

However it is designed to be profoundly inspirational, and to symbolise many different aspects of our country. These are detailed in what follows.

Full release:
http://www.starfern.co.nz/media/StarFernSummary.pdf

Website:
http://www.starfern.co.nz/

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