Silver fern flag: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Silver fern flag.svg|thumb|right|250px|A silver fern flag]] |
[[File:Silver fern flag.svg|thumb|right|250px|A silver fern flag]] |
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[[File:Silver fern flag stylised.svg|thumb|right|250px|Another version]] |
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The '''silver fern flag''' is sometimes seen as an unofficial [[flag of New Zealand]], in several variants. The [[silver fern]] itself is a quasi-national emblem, being used for various official symbols, including the [[coat of arms of New Zealand]] and the [[New Zealand one dollar coin]]. A number of New Zealand sports teams, such as the [[Silver Ferns]] and the [[All Blacks]], use similar silver fern flags as part of their official merchandise. |
The '''silver fern flag''' is sometimes seen as an unofficial [[flag of New Zealand]], in several variants. The [[silver fern]] itself is a quasi-national emblem, being used for various official symbols, including the [[coat of arms of New Zealand]] and the [[New Zealand one dollar coin]]. A number of New Zealand sports teams, such as the [[Silver Ferns]] and the [[All Blacks]], use similar silver fern flags as part of their official merchandise. |
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Revision as of 23:09, 28 July 2010
The silver fern flag is sometimes seen as an unofficial flag of New Zealand, in several variants. The silver fern itself is a quasi-national emblem, being used for various official symbols, including the coat of arms of New Zealand and the New Zealand one dollar coin. A number of New Zealand sports teams, such as the Silver Ferns and the All Blacks, use similar silver fern flags as part of their official merchandise.
The silver fern was first used on New Zealand military insignia during the South African War[1] (1899–1902), and along with it the United Tribes of New Zealand flag design was also featured on the back of the Boer War medals presented to soldiers who served in the war[2].
1980 Moscow Summer Olympics
New Zealand officially boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics as part of the US-led boycott of the games. However, four New Zealand athletes competed under the flag of New Zealand's Olympic committee, which was a black and white silver fern flag.
National flag proposals
The first suggestion that a silver fern flag be adopted as New Zealand's official flag came in 1998 from Cultural Affairs Minister Marie Hasler of the National Party. Hasler's proposal was backed by Prime Minister Jenny Shipley. Along with the New Zealand Tourism Board, Shipley backed a white silver fern on a black background as a possible alternative flag, along the lines of the Canadian Maple Leaf flag. Critics of the flag have often likened it to the Jolly Roger.
In 2003, New Zealand's America's Cup team, Team New Zealand, launched the "Loyal" campaign, using a silver fern flag and a song of the same name by New Zealand musician Dave Dobbyn.
Referendum proposal
In January 2005 the NZ Flag.com Trust, using a stylised silver fern flag designed by Cameron Sanders, launched a petition to initiate a referendum on the flag issue, but failed to attract enough signatures.
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James Dignan's proposed New Zealand flag -
Kyle Lockwood's proposed New Zealand flag
