The New Zealand flag – time for a change?

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Thu, 22 Sep 2011 7:00p.m.

Irene van Dyk carries the New Zealand flag

Irene van Dyk carries the New Zealand flag

Is it time to change our flag, our national symbol?

The blue represents the sea and sky, the stars are our place in the Pacific and the Union Jack recognises that we were once a British colony.

But with the world at our doorstep during this Rugby World Cup, is the silver fern equally as prominent as the national flag?

We took the issue to the streets today.

Watch the video to see people's reactions.

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Comments

04 Feb 2012 02:23p.m.

G Fidler wrote:

I served my country proudly under our current flag, as did other members of my family, but I have also been called an Australian when travelling overseas with our flag. The Silver Fern is already recoginsed world wide (even in Russia)so why not add the 5 stars of the Southern Cross (same colour as on our current flag) on a black background. Keep it simple, take note of Canada, if we wish we can put a small current flag in the top left-hand corner. People may want to remember that in the Boer War Kiwis fought under the first official NZ flag which was "The Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand". Should that be added as well?

24 Sep 2011 02:36p.m.

john wrote:

God save the queen, NZ would be nothing if Queen victoria did not bring law and order here the french would have concered this country and we would be flying the french flag, leave the flag alone keep the union jack it shows our
relationship with England....

24 Sep 2011 02:13p.m.

Nathan wrote:

no leave it the way it is for now anyway. its a waste of money changing the flag now when the country is in debit up to it eyeballs. how much money would it cost to make a new flag for every state building / change of signage etc. wait until we are out of the recession. the black flag silver fern is doing the same job as the current flag anyway no need to change it people know what both mean.

24 Sep 2011 01:50p.m.

Blair Martin wrote:

So many people saying we should change it because it is boring. To follow that logic, maybe we should change it every 20 years or so with whatever fad is current and sod tradition and history. It's been our nation's flag for over a hundred years and has existed for over 140. Is it insecurity or are people so ashamed of the past that we are willing to throw out something that is almost as old as our country. And to those who say they confuse it with Australia's, my 3 year old son can easily tell the difference, why can't you?

24 Sep 2011 12:31a.m.

sidney wrote:

Our flag is ridiculous - Im not an Aussie or a Pom - I am definitely not saying that there is anything wrong with being either (and I have happily lived in both places) - but we are kiwis and we have a superb flag already present and it is fantastic to see it being used so much during the World Cup. The silver fern is perfect. It is a symbol of the land that is NZ. The plant itself was here before any immigrant peoples came to NZ - be they Maori, Pakeha, Chinese, Dalmation etc etc It is relevant to all the people that live in the country and cannot be seen as favouring any one race or creed. It is also very distinct, very unique, very recognisable and something we can all be proud of. For goodness sake lets grow up - how long ago did Canada change their flag?? 1965! (Another distinct and strong flag.) And look at us in 2011 - its time for a change that should have happened years ago. One last thing - lets at least do it before Australia does!

23 Sep 2011 07:37p.m.

dawn wrote:

We like geoffrie brownie's idea, southern cross and a silver fern, nice and simple but effective to differentiate our flag to the Australian flag.

23 Sep 2011 07:33p.m.

Karen wrote:

The Campbell Live poll showing 63% wanting a change to the flag is skewed. Many older New Zealanders do not text, twitter, email or access facebook, they entered the polls by phone, which of course, is no longer used. The polls are alienating a large proportion of NZ if the aging population theory is to be believed. Many older Kiwi's would not want the flag changed. Suggested designs for flags show an almost pop art flavour, not suitable for a flag at all & are not reflective of the majority of New Zealanders.

23 Sep 2011 07:27p.m.

Graham wrote:

When the Anthem was changed from god save the queen the flag should have changed as well, any flag will be better than what we have now.

23 Sep 2011 07:12p.m.

mark van praagh wrote:

NZ flag: Silver fern on a black background but with a white border so that it stands out from the background

23 Sep 2011 07:11p.m.

Natasha wrote:

I think we need to change the flag to the black and white one with the silver fern, because the traditional one is just to similar to the aussie flag