New Zealanders are ready to make history

New Zealanders began voting Thursday, March 3, on whether to adopt a new flag, in a referendum Prime Minister John Key has called a once-in-a-generation chance to ditch Britain’s Union Jack from the national banner.

However, opinion polls have shown a consistent majority support for the current flag.

“They have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, it is to the flag we turn to honour their courage, commitment and sacrifice”, it says on its website.

So, New Zealanders, bring in the new design of our flag – to go forward into our future.

“It doesn’t matter what option you end up voting for but by talking to our children and grandchildren about what they prefer on the flag we can help give them a voice in deciding how we visualise New Zealand’s identity”.

Yes. New Zealand leads the way as it has in many other things in its history (such as women gaining the vote etc). As many will also be aware, Māori traditionally used an upturned silver fern to guide them, lighting the path home through the forest at night.

The first referendum – running from 20 November to 11 December a year ago – asked voters to rank five alternative flags.

“I’m a soldier… every grave stone I’ve seen always got the silver fern on it. I think it’s a great opportunity to honour that, I think it’s a clean neat flag”.

Since the first postal referendum, in which less than half of all enrolled voters participated, the Lockwood-designed flag has been flying side by side with the current flag at select locations in New Zealand.

They have until 24 March to choose between the present design and an alternative decided in a previous vote.

The Flag Consideration Panel was appointed in February 2015 following nominations by a Cross Party Group of MPs.