Today it was announced that New Zealand will be holding a referendum on the changing its flag.
The current flag of New Zealand
In 2015 there will be a vote to decide on a contender, and then in 2016 a vote on the change.
The current flag has been in use since the very early 20th century.
Under this flag New Zealand became a Dominion in 1907, and then was given full autonomy in 1947. Thousands of New Zealanders fought under it in both world wars. One-hundred and three Olympic medals have been given under the flag.
But the flag - very similiar to Australia's - features no representation for the Maori, and it harks back to the days of Empire and the Mother Country being in charge. In the 21st century New Zealand is an independent, modern, thriving country. Sure the Queen is still the Queen of New Zealand, but London doesn't call the shots anymore!
Like Australia - with its green and gold and the kangaroo - New Zealand has for a long time had an alternate flag and set of symbols: the silver fern and the kiwi.
The silver fern flag
Roundel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
The silver fern flag is the favourite for an alternative. Prime Minister John Key has stated in the past that it would be his choice. New Zealand sporting teams for a long time have used the colour black and the silver fern as symbols, and the silver fern flag is very popular as an 'unofficial' flag representing New Zealand.
Emblems of New Zealand's national cricket, rugby and football teams, respectively
However, some have voiced concerns that a black flag would be just odd. Some have even cited such a flag's resemblance to Black Standard-influenced flags used by many extreme Islamic groups.
Various 'banners of jihad'
So, what would you put forward as an alternative flag for New Zealand? Do you think a change is even necessary? Of course, we're not all Kiwis - I'm not - but I think the input of outsiders, as it were, is still helpful - we'll be the intended audience, in a way! Are there many New Zealanders on NeoGAF? What are your thoughts?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand
*
Here's my entry:
The colours of the current flag combined with the symbolism of the silver fern flag. Retaining the old colours reflects New Zealand's history and continued links with Great Britain (well, the Crown) and Australia; it also means stuff like roundels needn't much change. The fern represents modern New Zealand - a New Zealand symbol for all New Zealanders.
The current flag of New Zealand
In 2015 there will be a vote to decide on a contender, and then in 2016 a vote on the change.
New Zealand to hold flag referendum in 2016
New Zealand is to hold a binding referendum in 2016 on whether to change the national flag.
The announcement by Prime Minister John Key of the referendum came after his government last month won a third term in a general election.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29812549
New Zealand is to hold a binding referendum in 2016 on whether to change the national flag.
The announcement by Prime Minister John Key of the referendum came after his government last month won a third term in a general election.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29812549
The current flag has been in use since the very early 20th century.
The first flag of New Zealand to be based on the British blue ensign was introduced in 1867 following the Colonial Navy Defence Act 1865, which required all ships owned by colonial governments fly the defaced Royal Navy blue ensign with a Colonial badge. New Zealand did not have a Colonial badge, or indeed a Coat of Arms of its own at this stage, and so the letters "NZ" were simply added to the blue ensign.[7]
In 1869 the First Lieutenant of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Blanche, Albert Hastings Markham, submitted a design to Sir George Bowen, the Governor of New Zealand, for a national ensign for New Zealand. His proposal, incorporating the Southern Cross, was approved.[8] It was initially used only on government ships, but was adopted as the de facto national flag in a surge of patriotism arising from the Second Boer War in 1902. To end confusion between various designs of the flag, the Liberal Government passed the Ensign and Code Signals Bill, which was approved by King Edward VII on 24 March 1902,[9] declaring the flag as New Zealand's national flag. [...]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand
In 1869 the First Lieutenant of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Blanche, Albert Hastings Markham, submitted a design to Sir George Bowen, the Governor of New Zealand, for a national ensign for New Zealand. His proposal, incorporating the Southern Cross, was approved.[8] It was initially used only on government ships, but was adopted as the de facto national flag in a surge of patriotism arising from the Second Boer War in 1902. To end confusion between various designs of the flag, the Liberal Government passed the Ensign and Code Signals Bill, which was approved by King Edward VII on 24 March 1902,[9] declaring the flag as New Zealand's national flag. [...]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand
Under this flag New Zealand became a Dominion in 1907, and then was given full autonomy in 1947. Thousands of New Zealanders fought under it in both world wars. One-hundred and three Olympic medals have been given under the flag.
But the flag - very similiar to Australia's - features no representation for the Maori, and it harks back to the days of Empire and the Mother Country being in charge. In the 21st century New Zealand is an independent, modern, thriving country. Sure the Queen is still the Queen of New Zealand, but London doesn't call the shots anymore!
Like Australia - with its green and gold and the kangaroo - New Zealand has for a long time had an alternate flag and set of symbols: the silver fern and the kiwi.
The silver fern flag
Roundel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
The silver fern flag is the favourite for an alternative. Prime Minister John Key has stated in the past that it would be his choice. New Zealand sporting teams for a long time have used the colour black and the silver fern as symbols, and the silver fern flag is very popular as an 'unofficial' flag representing New Zealand.
Emblems of New Zealand's national cricket, rugby and football teams, respectively
However, some have voiced concerns that a black flag would be just odd. Some have even cited such a flag's resemblance to Black Standard-influenced flags used by many extreme Islamic groups.
Various 'banners of jihad'
So, what would you put forward as an alternative flag for New Zealand? Do you think a change is even necessary? Of course, we're not all Kiwis - I'm not - but I think the input of outsiders, as it were, is still helpful - we'll be the intended audience, in a way! Are there many New Zealanders on NeoGAF? What are your thoughts?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand
*
Here's my entry:
The colours of the current flag combined with the symbolism of the silver fern flag. Retaining the old colours reflects New Zealand's history and continued links with Great Britain (well, the Crown) and Australia; it also means stuff like roundels needn't much change. The fern represents modern New Zealand - a New Zealand symbol for all New Zealanders.
