NEW ZEALAND LISTENER    
Issue 3959    1st April, 2016   Editorial

"So. After two referendums and a national debate that was far more bruising and acrimonious than anyone expected, we remain where we started: with a national flag that many New Zealanders still have trouble distinguishing from Australia’s, and which identifies us as a quaint British outpost in the South Pacific. The people have spoken – and as former Labour Party leader Mike Moore was fond of saying, the people are always right, even when they are wrong."

See more http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/flag-referendum-win-democracy/

NZ LISTENER
3 March 2016

The Listener argues that the debate over changing New Zealand’s flag has been distorted by political motives and distractions such as cost concerns. It urges voters to refocus on the key issue: whether the current flag truly represents New Zealand’s independent national identity or still reflects its colonial ties to Britain through the Union Jack. Historically, the existing flag was adopted when New Zealand strongly identified with Britain, but the country has since evolved into an independent, multicultural nation with strong ties across the Pacific and Asia. Symbols like the silver fern have long held cultural significance, including for Māori. Many other former British colonies have already removed the Union Jack from their flags. Drawing on Canada’s successful flag change, the article argues that adopting a new symbol could strengthen national pride and identity, and that failing to act would be a missed opportunity for NZ.

Read more: http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/flag-of-the-bold/