Poll + Updating the NZ Flag

Updating our flag is a task which shouldn't be taken lightly.

We believe that flag change should be done by referendum, and not forced upon us by a government. New Zealanders should vote on whether we retain the existing flag, or choose a new flag. Voting could be through a citizens initiated referendum, or one introduced 
by a Member of Parliament.
 
There should be seven or eight well known designs put forward in the referendum for voting, here are some well known  designs which we believe could be put forward;

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United Tribes Flag (Busby, 1834)

Southern Cross (Titman, 1967)

Tino rangatiratanga (Marsden, Smith, Munn 1990)

New Zealand Ensign (Markham 1869)

Koru Flag (Hundertwasser 1982)

Kiwi Flag (Troup 1998)

Silver Fern Flag (Lockwood, 2000)

Stylised Silver Fern Flag (Sanders, 2004)

We've included a poll opposite for you to exercise your freedom to vote, If a referendum on NZ flag change were held tomorrow which flag would you vote for?  

Republic?

Flag change is a separate issue to becoming a republic, and could actually occur before we become a republic.  Most commonwealth nations today, with the major exceptions of NZ and Australia, have their own flags. Canada and Jamaica are good examples of countries with the Queen as head of state who have changed their flags successfully before becoming a republic.

Jamaica Pre-1962

Jamaican Flag 1962

Canada Pre-1965

Canadian Flag 1965

The Canadian Experience 

Which flag says Canada to you? The 1965 flag, right? Prior to 1965 the flag on the top was the flag of Canada.

Although the idea of a new design had been discussed for decades in the 1900s, it was in the 1960s that the debate intensified and became a subject of considerable controversy, After much debate new flag was officially proclaimed in 1965. The Canadian people were not given the chance to vote on the new design.

Despite the preceding acrimony, the new flag was quickly embraced by the Canadian public, and internationally the flag quickly became a welcome marker of Canadians around the world. The pre-1965 flag still remains an official flag in Canada, and is sometimes flown today.

The Kiwi Way - Democratic

New Zealand can take the lead from countries like Canada and Jamaica, but we can improve on it, we believe that flag change should not be forced on the country by a government, like in the Canadian example.  Kiwis should have the right to vote, to either, retain the existing ensign, or vote for a new national flag. It should be noted here that New Zealanders have never had the chance to vote for our present flag, as it was forced upon us by the British government.

We can learn from Canada too, in that once an new official flag is adopted, we can retain the existing ensign as an official flag, as some will choose to fly it. It will be like how God Save the Queen is still an official anthem of New Zealand, but today most Kiwis sing and recognise God Defend New Zealand as our anthem.

What do you think?  Vote above, and add your comments below!

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