新西蘭正在考慮更換新國旗

New Zealand is considering changing its flag, as many believe it is outdated and too similar to Australia's.

新西蘭正考慮更換其國旗，因爲很多人認爲現在的國旗已經過時，並同澳大利亞國旗過於相似。

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

現在的國旗左上角還有英國國旗，這讓人回想到過去被殖民的歷史，這是許多新西蘭人急切要擺脫的。

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

新西蘭民衆總提交了超過1萬幅新國旗的設計，政府任命的國旗方案委員會從中挑選了40個入圍設計。

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 stunt initiated by Prime Minister John Key to distract from more pressing issues.

然而，仍然有大部分新西蘭民衆想要保留現有的國旗。許多退伍老兵曾在國旗下戰鬥，並對國旗有一種特殊的紐帶關係。有些人認爲沒有改變國旗的必要，還有一部分人則認爲這是首相約翰·基爲轉移當前更爲緊迫的問題而發起的，而挑選過程也是耗資巨大的噱頭。

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幅入圍設計中大部分都有新西蘭銀蕨、正在展開的銀蕨葉以及南十字星座這三種設計元素中的一種，或者三種元素都結合起來。

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

正在展開的銀蕨葉通常是新西蘭土著毛利人象徵藝術的符號，同時也有象徵意義，象徵永恆的運動和自然聲明的循環，在許多地方印有，包括新西蘭航空的標誌上。

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

銀蕨葉完全展開就是銀蕨。原聲銀蕨遍佈在新西蘭的叢林中，以其獨特的外觀而引人注目。

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

南十字星座是隻有南半球才能看到星座，與銀蕨和銀蕨葉不同的是，現在的國旗上有南十字星座。

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

“一面偉大的旗幟是永恆的，能夠快速有效的傳遞出國家所特有的潛質。這樣一面國旗要包含適用於任何情況下，足夠新西蘭人有可能代表的尊嚴，要能代表所有的新西蘭人。”國旗評定委員會介紹道。

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

該委員會將在9月中旬挑選出4幅最終設計，供新西蘭民衆在11月份的公投中選出自己喜愛的國旗。

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，更換國旗仍然沒有確定下來。選出最佳替換方案的國旗後，還要在明年三月份的第二次公投中同現有國旗進行最終的比拼。