A FLAG OF OUR OWN
Proposal for a second flag for New Zealand
which represents an unmistakable identity
that combines New Zealand's
age-old heritage of nature
and the heritage of Maori history
with the growing future of a new nation.
The flag symbolizes old and new,
history and progress at the same time.
This flag symbolizes peace, but not weakness,
but the strength of creation
moving forward in a courageous engagement.
At a moment in human history
with increasing environmental concern
New Zealand gives an example to the world
because this flag represents peace with nature,
human development in harmony with nature.
It is the sign of understanding
with this everlasting powerful ally.
This flag is a symbol of a new age,
a big step towards mankind's
responsible evolution.
The fern green spiral on white or silver ground
starts at the black flagstaff lead
taking up the whole width of the flag
first decreasing gradually,
dividing the flag into diagonal halves,
then curling up into a spiral
at the other end of the flag.
The spiral unfurling in a rectangular flag
is the image of union of nature and technology,
of round and square.
It seems as if the flag contains another flag
advancing, streaming, unrolling and opening up
in a strange and mysterious wind,
a flag which is transformed
into another dimension.
It is an image of how matter
concentrates and turns into life.
Quantity is transformed into energy.
It is a symbol of the never ending cycle,
a symbol for ever renewing life.
May New Zealand be part of the nations
with a beautiful and meaningful and unique flag.
It is an intelligent flag full of joy,
it is indigenous, it contains a message,
it has a purpose, it is different.
It holds the mystery of this remote land.
It is a flag to love because it is special,
a flag to identify with.
Like a fern sprouting
like a wave of nature
like a flag unfolding
it is a proud symbol of this nation
representing Maori history
representing the green land
and the long white cloud,
a true messenger of New Zealand to the world,
independent, strong, invincible
full of life and energy
unmistakably New Zealand
a flag of future and age-old identity.
The green is carefully composed of the
special earthy deep, lush and fertile greens
of the New Zealand bush and farmlands,
not occurring anywhere else.
This green is the wealth of New Zealand.
The Maori spiral
and the sprouting fern symbol combined,
the Koru,
already represent New Zealand in many fields
like for instance the Air New Zealand sign.
This flag is unique and cannot be mistaken
for any other flag, as is the case with
the present flags of New Zealand and Australia,
and the flags of many other nations.
A recent example of how a symbol was accepted
to represent a country with an identity quest
similar to that of New Zealand
is the maple leaf in the flag of Canada.
In Australia, too, efforts are undertaken
to find a new flag.
Let New Zealand be first.
This second flag for New Zealand
is in no way designed to detract from the Union Jack,
the Southern Cross,
the British monarchy, the Commonwealth,
the British heritage and New Zealand traditions.
The fern flag will fly happily together
with the official blue ensign.
It signals that New Zealand has come of age
and qualifies as an equal among
the nations of this earth.
The Koru ensign symbolizes the love
of New Zealanders for their country.
Written in Bay of Islands on 18 March 1983.
Published in:
Brochure A Flag of Our Own, Bay of Islands, March 18, 1983
Schmied, Wieland (ed.): Hundertwasser 1928–2000, Catalogue Raisonné. Vol. II: Fürst, Andrea Christa: Catalogue Raisonné. Cologne: Taschen, 2002, p. 1055 (German and English, excerpt)
Schurian, Walter (ed.): Hundertwasser – Schöne Wege, Gedanken über Kunst und Leben. (Beautiful Paths – Thoughts on Art and Life) Munich: Langen Müller, 2004, pp. 182-184 (German) and pp. 340-341 (Original English version)
Hundertwasser. New York: Parkstone Press International, 2008, pp. 112 - 113