In remembrance of one of many of our esteemed leaders,
 
“Māori all day, every day. We are here, we are strong.”
– Kiingi Tūheitia
 
These words, spoken by our late King, Kiingi Tūheitia, carry a deep sense of strength and belief in ourselves. For me, they have been a guiding tohu, a reminder of our resilience and unity.
 
At the centre of this design is Te Kara o Te Whakaminenga o Ngā Hapu o Nu Tīreni, the flag of the United Tribes of Aotearoa – a symbol of our unity, sovereignty, and shared vision as a people.
 
Flanking the Te Kara are the Pou, which represents the faces of our tīpuna (ancestors) – our chiefs, whose vision and wisdom in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi continue to guide us in protecting our whenua  and sovereignty.
 
The manu and taniwha design represent our kaitiaki, the ancestral guardians who watch over us from the heavens, offering guidance and protection as we navigate the future.