New Zealand and the Maori flag.

5WIYC

The flag of the Maori nation.

In 1990 there was a national flag competition in New Zealand.
None of the entries showed any Maori acknowledgement or inspiration.
The TE KAWARIKI therefore held their own Maori flag competition.
And the winning entry is shown above on this page.

Black represents Te Korekore the realm of
Potential Being. The long darkness from whence the world emerged.

White represents Te Ao Marama the realm of Being and
light. It is the physical world, where symbolises purity, harmony and enlightment.

The Koru, curling frond shape, represents the unfolding of new life, that
everything is reborn and continues. It represents renewal and hope for the future.

Red represents Te Whei Ao, the realm of Coming into being.
It symbolises female, active, flashing, south, yelling, forests, gestation and spirals.
Red is Papatuanuku Earth Mother, the sustainer if all living things.
Red is the colour of earth from which the first humans was made.

Back to the WIYC page.

Back to index for this website.

>> More about the maori people from the main Maori / Aotearoa website. <<

Copyright © 1996 Boreale&4WIYC.
This page created July 15, 1996
Second last update July 30, 1998: The link for "More about the maori people." changed to another adress.
Third update, changed link again November 20 1998 (Second website discontinued), added shrinked sized flag image.
Final update: The website linked as "More about the Maori flag" had vanished completely. Recommends users to follow the link to the main Maori / Aotearoa website for similar info.