![[ Fern leaf flag ]](../images/n/nz!sfern.gif)
image
by Pascal Gross, 7 September 1998 
Last modified: 2022-05-21 by ian macdonald
Keywords: plant: fern | silver fern | all blacks | kiwi | fighting kiwi | new zealand |
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The Silver Fern is widely used in New Zealand to signify New Zealandness. It
is incorporated in the badges of most Army units, and more importantly it forms
the wreath surrounding the central badge on Regimental Colours (equivalent to
the UK Union Wreath and the Canadian “autumnal maple leaves”).
Todd Mills, 11 Nov 1997
I believe the rugby All Blacks first played overseas (NSW) in 1884 when they wore a gold fern leaf on blue jerseys. In 1905 they changed to a silver fern on the now-famous all-black uniform.
NZ Army contingents first saw overseas service in the South African war of 1899-1902, and they wore fern leaf badges. By WWI the fern leaf was the predominant badge in the Army, much like the Canadian maple leaf, which served as the background for all units raised for the CEF. I don’t have good documentation on pre-1900 NZ Army badges, but fern leaves seem to have made their first appearance in the 1860s (maybe).
In the British Army, the Union Wreath (roses, thistles, shamrocks) surrounding a central device has long been a major feature of Regimental Colours. Around 1900 (I can’t find the exact date), this was changed in the Dominions to a wreath of a national plant (Canada = maple, Australia = wattle, South Africa = protea, New Zealand = fern).
Todd Mills, 07 Sep 1998
image
by Pascal Gross, 7 September 1998
By reading the results of this poll [organized by FlagWire],
it appear that people voting in favour of a new flag for New Zealand often mentioned
the Black flag with the silver fern present on the rugby team (All Blacks) jersey.
Pascal Gross, 7 September 1998
![[ Fern leaf with lettering ]](../images/n/nz@fnz.gif)
image by António Martins, 26 April 2006
A flag with regular white lettering and silver fern on black, as shown at http://www.silverfernz.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=542, is a popular design used by sport fans. Large image at http://www.silverfernz.com/Prodimages/big_images/029F_big.jpg.
António Martins, 26 April 2006
You quite often see a flag at sporting
events which is the current national flag with the Union Jack replaced by a
silver fern on black, but I don't think many are really considering
that as an alternative national flag.
James Dignan, 20 May 2006
![[ Fighting Kiwi ]](../images/n/nz_fighk.gif)
image by Jorge Candeias, 6 June 2001
A similar flag [to the boxing kangaroo] called the Fighting Kiwi
has become popular in New Zealand, another country where the continued use of
the Union jack is also in question. Neither of these animal flags, however,
is a serious contender to replace the present national flags.
Jorge Candeias, quoting from [cra90],
6 June 2002
I believe that ownership of the "Fighting Kiwi" Flag design, from New
Zealand, is held by Peter J. Hume, Director of Flagmakers in Thorndon,
Wellington.
The "Fighting Kiwi" Flag was designed by New Zealand artist,
Peter Bonner, at the request of Peter J. Hume, between February-August 1988, as
a response to Australia's "Boxing Kangaroo" Flag and to support New Zealand's
campaigns to win the America's Cup Yacht Race, first at the 1988 challenge and
then successfully in 1995. Since then, I believe it has not only been used
during the next campaigns in 2000 and 2003, but also generally displayed to
support other New Zealand sporting teams competing at other international
events.
Further details about the origin of the "Boxing Kiwi" Flag has
been published in Flags Australia's journal, "Crux Australis", Vol. V, No.2-22,
April 1989. Peter J. Hume can be contacted at Flagmakers,
https://www.flagmakers.co.nz, Postal
address: P.O. Box 9545, Wellington 614
Ralph Bartlett, 24 July 2012
This flag was also proposed by a Barry Palmer from Canterbury, New Zealand in
the recent contest for a new national flag of New Zealand.
Source: New
Zealand Government website:
https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/gallery/design/24553
Tomislav Todorovic, 28 April 2016
![[Rainbow Silver Fern flag]](../images/n/nz_qq_fern.gif)
image by Tomislav Todorovic, 1 April 2022
The Rainbow Silver Fern Flag at the online shop:
https://silverfernflag.onlineweb.shop/I__SILVER_FERN_RAINBOW_FLAG/p7463031_20745596.aspx
This is a new version of the flag image, its dimensions adapted to
strictly match the ratio 1:2, derived from the SVG image from Wikipedia:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NZ_flag_design_Silver_Fern_(Red,_White_%26_Blue)_by_Kyle_Lockwood.svg
Tomislav Todorovic, 1 April 2022
_by_Kyle_Lockwood.svg){kind=link}