New Zealand Herald - Flag Debate

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Fresh Green with Fern



Some New Zealanders don't like Maori imagery. Since it's impossible to represent all the ethnic groups of NZ in a flag, this flag doesn't have any red or blue (traditionally associated with Europe) nor any Koru or other Maori-esque imagery. It does however use the black and white colours which many New Zealanders have adopted for themselves. The green symbolises fresh-ness in environment and thinking. The silver fern used in this flag is more vertical than that used in sporting team logos and it is old fashioned so that it looks more like a fern than a feather. The Union Jack is also represented in this flag in white in recognition of the ties with Britain that NZ continues to have.

In minute thumbnail size it seems to look like a smear of some sort (a squashed insect?). But the colours are unique enough to be recognizable even when the flag is furled.



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like this flag, but would prefer a different green in it. Other than that, it iis quite striking and a good choice.

Anonymous said...

Southern Cross, Fern, Union Jack... how about squeezing in the harbour bridge and Beehive while you're at it?