We honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, now buried in far-off fields under the Silver Fern.
LEST WE FORGET
This proposed New Zealand Flag honours our past.
A stylised Silver Fern, kaponga, a New Zealand icon for well over 160 years, has been worn proudly by many generations of New Zealanders, from sports people, to military personnel and fire-fighters. The silver fern is an element of indigenous flora representing the growth of our nation. The multiple points of the fern leaf represent Aotearoa's peaceful multicultural society, a single fern leaf spreading upwards represents that we are all New Zealanders - one people - growing onward into the future.
The Southern Cross, Māhutonga, is the defining element in the present New Zealand Flag, and represents our geographic location in the antipodes. The Southern Cross is visible throughout the year in the southern night skies. It has been used as a navigational aid for centuries and it helped guide early settlers to our islands. Each star is also representative of the major island groups of New Zealand - North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.
Red is a significant colour to the NZ Māori, Red also represents the sacrifice made by all New Zealanders during wartime. Blue represents the Pacific Ocean, that surrounds our archipelago nation, over which all New Zealanders, or their ancestors, crossed to get to New Zealand. White represents Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, the official Māori name for New Zealand. The colour white also represents peace.
The Southern Cross, Māhutonga, is the defining element in the present New Zealand Flag, and represents our geographic location in the antipodes. The Southern Cross is visible throughout the year in the southern night skies. It has been used as a navigational aid for centuries and it helped guide early settlers to our islands. Each star is also representative of the major island groups of New Zealand - North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.
Red is a significant colour to the NZ Māori, Red also represents the sacrifice made by all New Zealanders during wartime. Blue represents the Pacific Ocean, that surrounds our archipelago nation, over which all New Zealanders, or their ancestors, crossed to get to New Zealand. White represents Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, the official Māori name for New Zealand. The colour white also represents peace.
"I have served overseas with the NZ Defence Force (Army) and find that it is very annoying , embarrassing and at times very dangerous to serve under a flag which is frequently confused with the Australian flag. Whilst overseas we are supposed to wear the NZ Flag badge along with the kiwi roundel, the latter of which I strongly support. However, with the situation Australia is now in, being seen as the third country in support of the USA, this can be very dangerous if foreigners confuse our flag with that of Australia. Some of our old soldiers may disagree with my comments, however, I would suggest they did not serve in a time when international volatility was so widespread. I strongly support the change of our flag to having a design which is unique and closely associated to the uniqueness of New Zealand." Nigel Gattsche. Canterbury
FUTURE NEW ZEALAND SERVICE FLAGS
It is quite likely that the New Zealand flag will be re-designed in the future, consideration would need to be given to lesser known flags flown by various services such as the Royal NZ Navy.
At present the navy raises a white version of the NZ flag called the white ensign.
In the past there have been various attempts to design future services flags, all with varying degrees of success.
Upon flag change, we could follow examples set by other commonwealth nations and put a future national flag in the upper canton (the top corner nearest to the flagpole) and the emblem of the service organisation in the fly. (the half of the flag furthest from the flagpole)
Canada did this quite successfully with their joint services flag, seen in the example below.
At present the navy raises a white version of the NZ flag called the white ensign.
In the past there have been various attempts to design future services flags, all with varying degrees of success.
Upon flag change, we could follow examples set by other commonwealth nations and put a future national flag in the upper canton (the top corner nearest to the flagpole) and the emblem of the service organisation in the fly. (the half of the flag furthest from the flagpole)
Canada did this quite successfully with their joint services flag, seen in the example below.
The Canadians simply removed the Union Jack and replaced it with their present flag.
It would follow that NZ would do the same upon flag change. |
A Future New Zealand Navy Flag
A future New Zealand Navy flag could include the existing navy
emblem which features an anchor, and silver ferns. |
Services flags can be updated easily when flag change occurs, and we can follow a precedent set by the 53 other commonwealth nations who have updated their flag since World War Two.
New Zealand Army
© Crown Copyright
The New Zealand Army traditionally flies the national flag.
|
Flag Design © Kyle Lockwood 2000-2015
On flag change a new national flag would be flown.
|
New Zealand Navy
© Crown Copyright
The RNZN raises the NZ White Ensign, which is a New Zealand variant of the British white ensign.
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015, Emblem © Crown Copyright
A future New Zealand Navy Flag could include the existing navy emblem which features an anchor, and silver ferns.
|
New Zealand Air Force
© Crown Copyright
The RNZAF presently uses a defaced RAF Ensign.
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015, Emblem © Crown Copyright
This flag takes the lead from other Commonwealth countries in removing the Union Jack and replacing it with a future NZ flag. A Kiwi could also replace the 'NZ' roundel.
|
New Zealand Customs Service Flag
© Crown Copyright
The Customs Service flag is a defaced NZ Flag and is
flown at customs headquarters in Wellington. |
Flag Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015
A future customs service flag could be a defaced
national flag. |
New Zealand Civil Air Ensign
© Crown Copyright
Airfields have traditionally used a defaced United Kingdom Civil Air Ensign, this particular flag is rarely seen today.
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015
A future civil air flag would have a national flag in the canton.
|
© Crown Copyright
The present Maritime Red Ensign is a defaced British
ensign designed for use at sea. |
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015
Like many commonwealth countries, a future New Zealand Civil Ensign would have the national flag in the canton.
|
NEW ZEALAND YACHT SQUADRON
© Crown Copyright
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015
|
New Zealand Police Flag
© Crown Copyright
The NZ Police Flag is a home-grown ensign that includes the NZ National flag in the canton as opposed the flag of the United Kingdom.
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015, © Crown Copyright
A new national flag would be included in the police flag.
|
New Zealand Fire Service Flag
© Crown Copyright
|
Canton Design © Kyle Lockwood 2015, Emblem © Crown Copyright
|
|
The Fire Service flag is the second in a series of flags that include the national flag.
|
A new national flag would be included in the fire services flag.
|
A dedication to:
|
L. Cpl. Henry R. R. Anderson
1887-1918. A Coy. 12th Reinforcements N.Z.E.F. Egypt and France. Killed in action France. His grave is known only to God. |
|
Sgt. Walter. H. Lockwood
1924-2013 R.A.F., R.N.Z.A.F., Chindit, Burma. Rest in peace Granddad. |
And to all New Zealand servicepeople, past and present.
Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget