The Silver Fern and Kowhai: New Zealand's Floral Emblems
When most people think of New Zealand's national plant symbols, the silver fern is the first thing that springs to mind — emblazoned on All Blacks jerseys, sporting logos and even on the New Zealand flag debate of 2016. But alongside the silver fern stands another beloved Kiwi icon: the Kowhai, with its striking golden-yellow blossoms widely considered New Zealand's unofficial national flower.
At Interflora, we have a close connection with New Zealand through our global florist network. In fact, we deliver to the Land of the Long White Cloud every day. Let's take a closer look at the two plants that symbolise this remarkable country — and how you can send a piece of Kiwi beauty to someone special.
The Silver Fern: New Zealand's Unofficial National Symbol
The silver fern (Cyathea dealbata), or ponga as it's known in Māori, is one of New Zealand's most recognisable symbols. It takes its name from the silvery-white underside of its mature fronds — a feature that glows luminously in moonlight and was traditionally used by Māori travellers to mark forest paths at night.
Silver ferns can grow to impressive heights of up to 10 metres, forming part of the understorey in New Zealand's native forests. The unfurling new frond, called a koru in Māori, is perhaps the most recognisable element of all — its spiral shape symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace in Māori culture and has been adopted as a design motif across New Zealand's visual identity.
You'll find the silver fern on the All Blacks' rugby jerseys, on the badges of numerous sports teams, on New Zealand's coat of arms, and even on the tail fins of Air New Zealand aircraft. It's one of the most powerful visual representations of national identity anywhere in the world.
The Kowhai: New Zealand's Unofficial Floral Emblem
While New Zealand has no single legally declared national flower, the Kowhai (Sophora) is widely embraced as the unofficial floral emblem of the country. Its name literally means "yellow" in Māori, a fitting description for its spectacular golden blossoms.
The Kowhai is a native New Zealand tree that typically grows between 2 and 10 metres tall. In spring — usually September through November — its branches burst into clusters of bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers that draw in native birds like the tūī and the bellbird, which are its primary pollinators.
The sight of a Kowhai in full bloom, dripping with golden blossoms against a clear blue sky, is one of the quintessential images of a New Zealand spring. For many Kiwis, the Kowhai's bloom marks the beginning of the warmer months.
Other Iconic New Zealand Flowers
While the Kowhai holds special status, New Zealand is blessed with many stunning native flowers, each with its own character and cultural significance.
Pōhutukawa
Known as the "New Zealand Christmas tree," the Pōhutukawa bursts into brilliant crimson-red blooms during December, coinciding with the Kiwi summer Christmas. Its blazing flowers have become synonymous with Christmas and summer holidays for many New Zealanders.
Mānuka
The Mānuka is a shrub with delicate white or pink flowers that is perhaps best known internationally for producing world-famous Mānuka honey. Its blossoms are small but numerous, and the plant has significant importance in Māori traditional medicine.
Mount Cook Lily
Despite its name, the Mount Cook Lily is actually the world's largest buttercup. Its large, pure white flowers grow in alpine regions of the South Island and are a highlight of any tramping trip through the Southern Alps.
The Cultural Significance of NZ Flora
For Māori, native plants are not simply decorative — they're deeply tied to whakapapa (genealogy), tradition and spirituality. Many plants have traditional uses in rongoā (Māori medicine), and the stories of their origins are preserved in oral histories passed down through generations.
The koru shape of the unfurling silver fern, for example, represents new beginnings, peace and harmony. It's a symbol you'll see carved into meeting houses, etched into jewellery, and tattooed onto skin — a living link between the natural world and human identity.
Sending Flowers to New Zealand
Whether your loved ones live in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or anywhere in between, Interflora's New Zealand delivery service connects you with local Kiwi florists who know exactly what's in season and what will travel well in New Zealand's unique climate.
Our florist-to-florist system means every bouquet is freshly arranged on the day and personally delivered — not couriered in a box — by a local florist in your recipient's town. You'll often find native New Zealand blooms incorporated into bouquets alongside traditional favourites like roses, lilies and tulips.
Bringing a Kiwi Touch to Your Aussie Bouquet
Because New Zealand and Australia share so much flora and climate, many native Australian bouquets include foliage and blooms that would look equally at home across the Tasman. Eucalyptus, for example, appears in arrangements on both sides of the ditch, as do certain proteas and grevilleas.
If you have Kiwi connections and want to celebrate that heritage, ask your local Interflora florist about incorporating native greenery or golden-toned blooms into your bouquet. It's a lovely way to honour the natural beauty of Aotearoa while supporting Australian florists. And of course, for any upcoming special occasion — from Mother's Day to new baby celebrations — our full range is just a click away.
Two Nations, One Love of Flowers
Australia and New Zealand may be separated by the Tasman Sea, but we share a deep love of native flora, a pioneering spirit, and a long tradition of sending flowers to mark life's important moments. Whether you're sending across the ditch or across town, Interflora makes it easy. Explore our overseas delivery service to send flowers to New Zealand today — and bring a little bit of golden Kowhai spirit into someone's life.