What do national symbols like the flag or anthem mean to you, and how do they shape your identity?

National sumbols, flags and anthems are things representing new zealand/ these countries through the eyes of colonisers. I think these elements have most definitely shaped who i have become but I can undoubtedly say that they hold no significance to my cultural background and context. our nz flag is a symbol that we were conquered or “found” as the british believed. It does not call for unity amongth maori and pakeha but seperates us and emphasises that we are not harmonised together into a great nation but a sad, oppressive enviroment