In the hoist of this flag design, five near-realistic silver fern fronds symbolise the main areas of the full Realm of New Zealand: New Zealand proper, Niue, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, and the Ross Dependency. The distinctive pattern of fronds is more representative than any single frond of the ubiquitous canopies of silver fern that blanket the native bush of New Zealand, and the orientation of the fronds affords a pleasing effect whether the flag is waving or draped in windless conditions. In the fly, the Southern Cross has been rendered with high-contrast white stars, each encircled with a white halo for greater visibility at a distance.

The image below shows how 'High Five' and some of its derived ensigns will appear in windless conditions.

The image to the left shows how a special 'banner' version of the flag will appear when draped vertically.

The image to the right shows how the flag will appear when it is published in grayscale.

The image below shows how the banner version of the flag will appear when it is used as a pall.

The image to the left shows how the flag will appear when it is reduced in size to become a lapel pin.

The image to the left

shows how the flag will appear when its five silver fern fronds and its Southern Cross have been hoisted into the winds of New Zealand.

Dozens of additional New Zealand national flag designs can be found at: newzealand.flagoptions.com