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This fern’s leaves are green on top but silver underneath. It is worn as a symbol on all of New Zealand's National Teams uniforms such as the All Blacks, the Silver Ferns netball team and Team New Zealand in the Americas Cup.
The reason why this is used as a national symbol, is not well known by New Zealanders, but like many symbols used today its importance was to our Maori people first and then transferred across into our modern society.
In pre-European days our Maori people used to go on raiding parties at night to take the vegetables and other goods from their neighbours. They would go out in a group of 12 to 20 warriors travelling in single file. The first warrior would lead the group by turning over the silver fern leaf that pointed in the direction in which he was travelling. Each warrior would then be able to follow the leader as the silver fern would reflect the moonlight. The last one in the group would turn the leaf back over again so the enemy did not know where the group was going or had been. So from a Maori perspective the silver fern has always symbolised 'going for a goal' hence its use on our national teams uniforms. Another very important symbol used today is that of the Koru. The Koru is the growing frond of the fern. Its design is a series of circles that completely surrounds the growing tip of the new fern fond or branch. This symbol is used by Air New Zealand. Where that symbol comes from and its significance once again has its origin with Maori.
From this design our Maori people believe that it stands for growth, nurturing and protection. In Air New Zealand’s case they use the symbol to convey to their clients and potential clients that they will nurture and protect their clients when flying with them and that the airline is continually growing and improving. After your bush walk why not enjoy a relaxing mud bath or spa, click here to indulge!
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