The new Flag

[Manukau heads obs]

Poll re which flag you going to vote for

[jamie]

New one!

[Manukau heads obs]

I am with you Jamie
here is my take on it:
their are not many commonwealth countries left with the union jack on their flag (5?)
here is our chance to have a flag unique to NZ, different to AUS
the chance to vote wont come around again for a long time
I see people say it costs too much...well the money has been spent..so dont let that rule your vote
I see people say they wont vote because its John Keys' baby...again, put politics aside, here your chance to get a flag that distinctly nz (i.e silver fern)
I see people say, the soldiers fought for the NZ flag.. they actually fought for country...and for what ever flag is flying that represents that country

[tgsnoopy]

The cost of the referendum of about 26 Million is only the tip of the iceberg. The true cost of changing it will be considerable and I've seen some statements claiming it could go as high as 2 Billion. I just hope people actually vote so that it is a true representation of what people want, not a skewed vote that doesn't represent the democratic wishes of our citizens.

Personally I'm very disappointed by the chosen alternative. It would have been a lot better if it had a real silver fern as used for a long time to depict NZ, instead we have a symbolic item.

[03Stormchaser]

I am with you Jamie
here is my take on it:
their are not many commonwealth countries left with the union jack on their flag (5?)
here is our chance to have a flag unique to NZ, different to AUS
the chance to vote wont come around again for a long time
I see people say it costs too much...well the money has been spent..so dont let that rule your vote
I see people say they wont vote because its John Keys' baby...again, put politics aside, here your chance to get a flag that distinctly nz (i.e silver fern)
I see people say, the soldiers fought for the NZ flag.. they actually fought for country...and for what ever flag is flying that represents that country

I agree but don't like the option, so will be voting to keep the current.

[NZstorm]

I agree the union jack has had its day and NZ is destined to get a new flag sooner or later. I don't mind the alternative option put forward although its not perfect, it looks OK.

[Tornado Tim]

Voted for the current flag - I would be in favour of changing the flag if it was a different design though (none of the 5 designs were good enough in my opinion).
I am also of the opinion there is a political agenda tied up with the flag referendum and I find that when we officially move to being a republic that is when we should change the flag, not before. Anything before means absolutely nothing as we are still tied to the Queen.

[Manukau heads obs]

there are other commonwealth countries that changed their flag (i.e removed the flag) but have no other changes in regard to the queen etc

a change now to the current alternative could be argued could be easier in the future to change again to a different design?

[Razor]

I'm a big fan of the existing flag. Its what I grew up with, what I identify with and I see absolutely no need to change. This whole sorry saga has been nothing but a divisive sideshow from far more important issues facing the country, and there are no winners from it. I still cannot see the compelling need to have had this 'debate' at this time.

[Orion]

I'm a big fan of the existing flag. Its what I grew up with, what I identify with and I see absolutely no need to change. This whole sorry saga has been nothing but a divisive sideshow from far more important issues facing the country, and there are no winners from it. I still cannot see the compelling need to have had this 'debate' at this time.

I was going to keep quiet on this thread but must say I wholeheartedly agree with you, Razor, and thank you for summarising the topic so succinctly

[jamie]

I HATE politics and keep clear of it all. To me it's not political at all and I just think it's a great step to NZ becoming who we are. I think this whole process was needed and when would be a good time. You just have to do it.

To people that want a new one but don't like this one, I would have thought changing to this one, even tho not quite what you like, is better than being unhappy with what we currently have.

I couldn't care less about the cost. Having a flag that to me is NZ, not some English crap, will have massive economic benefit to NZ.

[Manukau heads obs]

yes, there will be ecomomic spin off's once people get in behind the new flag (this has happened else where) and become more patriotic/proud (how many people actually fly a nz flag at their residence for example currently? (its a pretty boring and flat coloured flag if you ask me) for NZ as a country that is unique and that is as far away from the UK as you possibly get (geographicly speaking...makes no sense to have the union jack nowadays)
very polarising the whole thing , thats for sure

[NZstorm]

I don't support a republic but I do support removing the union jack from the flag.

[Kahu]

It ain't broke ... so why bother wasting money to fix it!

[Manukau heads obs]

if you use that argument then nothing would ever change or improve and civilisation would not be as it is now

[NZstorm]

It ain't broke ... so why bother wasting money to fix it!

That's the price of living in a democracy. There has been sentiment out there for a republic and flag change for many years. So the idea of changing the flag is not something that has just popped up in the last couple of years.

[Nev]

Here's an idea. Why don't we just vote to become the seventh state of Australia? That way we wouldn't need to change the flag (much). Save a lot of confusion…

[Manukau heads obs]

there is a movement in Australia to change their flag as well....

[tgsnoopy]

I'm a big fan of the existing flag. Its what I grew up with, what I identify with and I see absolutely no need to change. This whole sorry saga has been nothing but a divisive sideshow from far more important issues facing the country, and there are no winners from it. I still cannot see the compelling need to have had this 'debate' at this time.

Very good summary of some thoughts I share

[Kahu]

I'm a big fan of the existing flag. Its what I grew up with, what I identify with and I see absolutely no need to change. This whole sorry saga has been nothing but a divisive sideshow from far more important issues facing the country, and there are no winners from it. I still cannot see the compelling need to have had this 'debate' at this time.

Very good summary of some thoughts I share

Exactly!

[jamie]

I saw a good comment on an article about the flag which ill share.

If we had the alternative flag as our current one and we were voting to keep that or actual current one (as the alternative) how would you vote? Would you choose to have the union jack on the flag if we had a silver fern on it instead?

[Manukau heads obs]

I don't think that argument really works to be fair Jamie

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I reckon the new flag should have a pair of gumboots on it, as well as the koru and the All Blacks stamp on it.
....and of course the Union Jack in the corner, as, traditionally ,we are a British colony like Australia and Canada and Zimbabwe and India.
Imagine if the USA had discovered New Zealand, there would be a stars and stripes in the corner, and maybe not the Southern Cross but something like a sheep or something????

[David]

I'm not opposed to a flag change, but not really that excited about the alternative.

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

I thort my lenitive suggestions may of been exciting , but probably not
...never mind, what's next to change NZ's identity?????
Lord of the Rings, ?