New Zealand is considering changing its flag, as many believe it is outdated and too similar to Australia's.
The flag also depicts Britain's Union Jack in the top left corner, hearkening back to a colonial past that many New Zealanders are eager to put behind them.
The public submitted more than 10,000 designs for a new flag, which a government-appointed panel has narrowed down to 40 finalists.
However, there are plenty of New Zealanders who want to keep their current flag. Many veterans fought under the flag and feel a special bond to it. Others simply don't see any need for a change, or view the process as an expensive stunt initiated by Prime Minister John Key to distract from more pressing issues.
Almost all of the 40 finalists feature one of three design elements, or a combination of them: the koru, the silver fern and the Southern Cross.
The koru depicts an unfurling fern frond and is a symbol often used in indigenous Maori art. It also has metaphorical meanings, suggesting perpetual movement and the circular nature of life. It is featured on many things, including Air New Zealand's logo.
The silver fern is the koru unfurled. Native ferns are found throughout New Zealand forests, and the silver fern is noted for its striking appearance.
The Southern Cross is a distinctive star constellation visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the koru and silver fern, the Southern Cross is featured on the current flag.
"A great flag is timeless and communicates swiftly and potently the essence of the country it represents. A flag should carry sufficient dignity to be appropriate for all situations in which New Zealanders might be represented. It should speak to all Kiwis," the panel said.
The panel will choose four final designs by mid-September, and New Zealanders will vote for their favorite in a November referendum.
But even then, changing the flag is by no means a certainty. After a favorite alternative flag is chosen, it will be pitted head-to-head with the current flag in a second referendum to be held in March.
新西蘭正斟酌改換其國旗，由於許多人以為如今的國旗已經由時，並同澳大利亞國旗過於類似。
如今的國旗左上角另有英國國旗，這讓人回憶到曩昔被殖民的汗青，這是很多新西蘭人迫切要解脫的。
新西蘭大眾總提交了跨越1萬幅新國旗的計劃，當局錄用的國旗計劃委員會從中遴選了40個入圍計劃。
但是，仍舊有大部門新西蘭大眾想要保存現有的國旗。很多退伍老兵曾在國旗下戰役，並對國旗有一種特別的紐帶幹系。有些人以為沒有轉變國旗的需要，另有一部門人則以為這是輔弼約翰·基為轉移當前更加緊急的題目而提議的，而遴選進程也是耗資偉大的噱頭。
40幅入圍計劃中大部門都有新西蘭銀蕨、正在睜開的銀蕨葉和南十字星座這三種計劃元素中的一種，大概三種元素都聯合起來。
正在睜開的銀蕨葉一般為新西蘭土著毛利人意味藝術的標記，同時也有意味意義，意味永久的活動和天然聲明的輪回，在很多處所印有，包含新西蘭航空的標記上。
銀蕨葉完整睜開便是銀蕨。原聲銀蕨遍及在新西蘭的森林中，以其奇特的表面而惹人註視。
南十字星座是只有南半球能力看到星座，與銀蕨和銀蕨葉分歧的是，如今的國旗上有南十字星座。
“一壁巨大的旗號是永久的，可以或許快速有用的通報出國度所獨有的潛質。如許一壁國旗要包括實用於任何情形下，充足新西蘭人有大概代表的莊嚴，要能代表全部的新西蘭人。”國旗評定委員會先容道。
該委員會將在9月中旬遴選出4幅終極計劃，供新西蘭大眾在11月份的公投當選出本身愛好的國旗。
但即使如斯，改換國旗仍舊沒有肯定下來。選出絕佳調換計劃的國旗後，還要在來歲三月份的第二次公投中同現有國旗舉行終極的比拼。
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