New Zealand have launched the "Earn the Fern" campaign to boost support prior to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games ©NZ Olympics

New Zealand have launched a public marketing campaign called "Earn The Fern" as they countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The campaign aims to underline the importance of team culture and how critical it is to success at the Games.

It will also highlight the honour of wearing the silver fern, the national symbol which features on New Zealand's team kit.

New Zealand's Chef de Mission Rob Waddell claimed wearing the fern should be treated as an honour for athletes.

"The fern symbolises how we, as athletes, do things," he said.

"It's about how we compete with pride and honour, how we draw on the achievements of those that have gone before us, and how we add to the story of the fern with our own efforts.

"To have the opportunity to wear the fern as we take on some of the best athletes in the world will be a huge honour for all of us.

"Our unity as a team and a nation really gives us a performance edge.

"Earn the Fern is about what it takes, and what it means, to wear the silver fern.

"Our athletes tell us the support of New Zealanders really matters and we're asking New Zealanders to show their support and follow the fern as our athletes head towards Gold Coast 2018."

As part of the campaign, the New Zealand Olympic Committee will feature stories of athletes, who will also discuss those that support and inspire them.

Athletics star Eliza McCartney, cyclist Sarah Ulmer, rugby player DJ Forbes, netball's Temepara Bailey, weightlifter Richie Paterson and basketball's Dillon Boucher feature in the opening campaign video.

The athletes discuss what is means to them to "earn the fern".

"The fern makes me so proud," said McCartney, who won pole vault bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"To be able to wear it as an athlete and know the history of it and know the others that have worn it and done amazing things for this country is humbling."

The campaign will be supported on the New Zealand Olympic Committee digital channels, with the use of the hashtag #EarnTheFern.

It will aid the countdown to the Commonwealth Games in less than six months time, with the Games scheduled to take place from April 4 to 15 here.

New Zealand expect to send nearly 250 athletes to the Games, which would be their largest team in history at the multi-sport event.