New Zealand Olympians have been wearing the silver fern for more than 100 years. From 1908 in London when New Zealander Harry Kerr received our first medal, to Antwerp 1920 where the emblem was sewn onto team hats and to 1952 in Oslo where our first Winter Olympians were, in the word of Sir Roy McKenzie “given black sweaters and had silver fern patches to sew on…”, the fern has represented our sporting hopes and dreams.

The fern has great standing in Maori tradition as it both nurtures and protects. An ideal symbol for the New Zealand Olympic Team, the fern inspires growth.

A unique symbol has been created for the Olympic team to Vancouver 2010.

The new winter fern incorporates the mountain landscapes of both Canada and Aotearoa and strong references to the feather used in both Maori and Canadian First Nation traditions, the Winter Fern represents peace, power and prestige.

Balance and teamwork are also represented through the triangular shape traditional in Maori battle formation and the striking black and white colour palette.

The fern was created by artists Rangi of Te Kaahui Maunga and Julie Kipa of Ngai te Rangi.