ew Zealand is considering changing its flag, as many believe it is outdated¹ and too similar to Australia's.

新西兰正考虑更换其国旗，因为很多人认为现在的国旗已经过时，并同澳大利亚国旗过于相似。

The flag also depicts² Britain's Union Jack³ in the top left corner, hearkening back to a colonial past that many New Zealanders are eager to put behind them.

现在的国旗左上角还有英国国旗，这让人回想到过去被殖民的历史，这是许多新西兰人急切要摆脱的。

The public submitted more than 10,000 designs for a new flag, which a government-appointed panel has narrowed down to 40 finalists.

新西兰民众总提交了超过1万幅新国旗的设计，政府任命的国旗方案委员会从中挑选了40个入围设计。

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 stunt⁴ initiated⁵ by Prime Minister John Key to distract from more pressing issues.

然而，仍然有大部分新西兰民众想要保留现有的国旗。许多退伍老兵曾在国旗下战斗，并对国旗有一种特殊的纽带关系。有些人认为没有改变国旗的必要，还有一部分人则认为这是首相约翰·基为转移当前更为紧迫的问题而发起的，而挑选过程也是耗资巨大的噱头。

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.

40幅入围设计中大部分都有新西兰银蕨、正在展开的银蕨叶以及南十字星座这三种设计元素中的一种，或者三种元素都结合起来。

The koru depicts an unfurling fern frond⁶ and is a symbol often used in indigenous⁷ Maori art. It also has metaphorical⁸ meanings, suggesting perpetual movement and the circular nature of life. It is featured on many things, including Air New Zealand's logo.

正在展开的银蕨叶通常是新西兰土著毛利人象征艺术的符号，同时也有象征意义，象征永恒的运动和自然声明的循环，在许多地方印有，包括新西兰航空的标志上。

The silver fern is the koru unfurled. Native ferns are found throughout New Zealand forests, and the silver fern is noted⁹ for its striking appearance.

银蕨叶完全展开就是银蕨。原声银蕨遍布在新西兰的丛林中，以其独特的外观而引人注目。

The Southern Cross is a distinctive¹⁰ star constellation¹¹ visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the koru and silver fern, the Southern Cross is featured on the current flag.

南十字星座是只有南半球才能看到星座，与银蕨和银蕨叶不同的是，现在的国旗上有南十字星座。

"A great flag is timeless and communicates swiftly and potently¹² 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.

“一面伟大的旗帜是永恒的，能够快速有效的传递出国家所特有的潜质。这样一面国旗要包含适用于任何情况下，足够新西兰人有可能代表的尊严，要能代表所有的新西兰人。”国旗评定委员会介绍道。

The panel will choose four final designs by mid-September, and New Zealanders will vote for their favorite in a November referendum.

该委员会将在9月中旬挑选出4幅最终设计，供新西兰民众在11月份的公投中选出自己喜爱的国旗。

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.

但即便如此，更换国旗仍然没有确定下来。选出最佳替换方案的国旗后，还要在明年三月份的第二次公投中同现有国旗进行最终的比拼。