a Petition has been started here in NZ to change our national flag, the idea being that our flag is too similar to Australias, our ties with mother england have weakened and that it's time for change.

most oppisition is from the returned servicemans association, as this is the flag that servicemen died for in many wars.

while i understand where they are coming from, i feel it is time for change, tell me though, what do you think?

this is my pick from the current options;


1) The bold simplicity of our koru lends itself perfectly to a flag. A good flag's insignia should be instantly discernible at any scale, and I believe simple enough for anyone to draw from memory. The symbolism of the koru is positive - new life unfolding, growth, hope for the future. It is unique to New Zealand - no other country's flag has a spiral motif. I like the ideology of Hundertwasser's proposed version, but I wanted this koru to be more open, with more natural, flowing lines. Its shape is open to interpretation, suggesting fern, wave, mountain or cloud.

2) Our geographical position defines us, and bonds us with our South Pacific neighbours. For this reason I have retained the Southern Cross, in a form similar to our current flag, but here balanced symmetrically with the koru. Inclusion of the Southern Cross also acknowledges our past, and remembers all those who served under it defending their country.

3) The colours build on New Zealand's strong existing identification (primarily through sporting achievements), with black and white. The third colour in this design - red, bestows depth and emotion. It was chosen in favour of green, which I feel is too literal and doesn't match red's warmth or spirit. Black, white and red are traditional pigments of our land; they complement the colours of our bush, and are powerfully symbolic. They echo the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, which I have much respect for, and the same representations may apply: Black - the darkness from which the world emerged, male, potential. White - the physical world of being, purity, harmony, light. Red - the realm of creation, female, sustaining energy. These colours have broad appeal across different sectors of our culture, and would place no limits on the versatility of the flag's use.

Embracing a new national flag could open many new possibilities for us as a country. I believe this flag would bring us closer together, and provide a more heartfelt sense of identity.


http://www.nzflag.com/default.cfm

It looks like it should be on a cola bottle

those colours do have quite a bit of significance for the maori people, and i think they are very striking

Yeah... I am rarely able to differentiate between the NZ and Austrailian flag. I see NZ flag and it just registers as Australia to me because I don't really care to count the cute little stars. Go ahead and change it.

Well it's certainly nothing new.
Georgia changed theirs a while ago.
I think they should keep the old one for the veterans a little longer.

Interesting little "!" you put at the end of change. Subtle little message eh?

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Well it's certainly nothing new.
Georgia changed theirs a while ago.
I think they should keep the old one for the veterans a little longer.

Interesting little "!" you put at the end of change. Subtle little message eh?

GUILTY!

subtle huh?

BTW i have always liked south koreas flag....and by any chance have you seen the video for basement jax's song "kish kash"? it may remind you of somethign....

Why are the colours significant?

Originally Posted by KC72

Why are the colours significant?

traditional maori colours, also see it on NCO sash's in the NZ army



Black - the darkness from which the world emerged, male, potential. White - the physical world of being, purity, harmony, light. Red - the realm of creation, female, sustaining energy. These colours have broad appeal across different sectors of our culture, and would place no limits on the versatility of the flag's use.

Maybe change the design and keep the colors. The red and black remind you of devils and other creepy stuff.

I agree, change the flag, but I do not like the proposed design. For some reason I prefer simpler designs such as 3 stripes, simple shapes, etc.