New Zealand flag referendum

[hoppy]

On Thursday March 3rd the voting in the New Zealand flag referendum starts and will continue until the 24th. The flag with the most votes will be the official flag. As the referendum vote is binding, I wonder if that means that if the new design wins, can the Kiwi's officially start flying the new flag on their boats from the 25th of March?






Any Kiwi's here willing to say which way they will vote?


I'd like to see the change as I'd hope it will create some momentum for a referendum in Australia. I think the new flag design looks good

[Factor]

Matter for the Kiwi's.

I liked the silver fern without the southern cross, or the Koru design but like I say - matter for the kiwis

[StuM]

No they can't "officially" fly it until the appropriate legislation is passed.

Personally, I like the new design, but I'll have to check whether I can vote at the NZ Embassy, since I haven't been on the NZ electoral roll for many, many years.

(And I'll continue to fly the PNG flag on my boat )

[ozskipper]

They might as well use this one ;-)

[DumnMad]

It seems wrong to remove the Union Jack from the flag because it is like removing the symbol of the Treaty of Waitangi where Maori and the British Crown more or less agreed to the establishment of rule of law for all New Zealanders. The Union Jack is also a great symbol of unification through comprimise and nations within a nation. Even if the UK was dismantled it would still have great meaning for New Zealand.
It also seems wrong to remove the Southern Cross from the flag because this sybolises settlement of New Zealand via sea voyages.
My feeling is that the existing flag says far more about NZ than some piece of fern.

[CSY Man]

Heard the Kiwis have found a new use for sheep now:
Wool.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

They might as well use this one ;-)

Change the Blue background to Black with the single large star..
The only Shining Star in the South...

THE ALL BLACKS

[clownfishsydney]

As an Aussie, I reckon just the silver fern would be best, but, if I was voting, I would go for the new one. Doubt that we will ever get a new flag in my lifetime. Also, as pointed out, it will require legislation to change the flag officially and I doubt any company would risk making new flags until the referendum is passed.

[hoppy]

Found this on wiki

If a new flag design is chosen, assuming no intellectual property issues and the referendum's results are not ruled void, the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981 would be updated to reflect the new design six months to the day after the second referendum results are declared (or earlier by Order in Council).

and


New Zealand Government ships and those non-government ships flying the New Zealand flag (instead of the New Zealand Red Ensign) would be given an extra six months to change their flag to the new design. Ships flying the New Zealand Red Ensign and ships belonging to the New Zealand Defence Force are not affected by any flag changes, nor are any New Zealand-based ships registered to foreign countries.

So even if there is a new flag, it seems that Kiwi yachts can choose to continue to fly the red ensign.

[athene]

I suggested this one. Still can't understand why they didn't go for it ...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by athene

I suggested this one. Still can't understand why they didn't go for it ...

If it had been Jomo Lomo mid Haka they may well have.

[MarkJ]

A boat came in here last week flying the Silver Fern flag and it did look good.

The Aussie and current NZ look to similar and even I can't see the difference at 200 meters.


But a new flag won't make them win the cricket.

Or Rugby.


Ever.

[MarkJ]

I just checked the latest polls and its over 60% want to keep the old flag.


I think if Australia wanted to change our flag (most designs heavily Aboriginal motif) it would go down in a screaming heap too. For better or worse, our flag is our flag. Change is unlikely.


(So is chucking to Queen for a popularly elected President. Trump reaction... LOL)

[krafthaus]

The new flag was big debate for Canada in the '60's.

If I was a NZ'er I'd go with the new look. It's distinctive and as mentioned above, you can hardly tell NZ & OZ flags apart.

[Goingbuddha]

Canada used to have two northern territories. Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories. When Nunavut was split off from the Northwest Territories a referendum was held to see what people wanted to name the remaining part. I believe the name with the most votes was, Bob. The anal government just kept the old name.
Eugene