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New Zealand Flag Debate
The New Zealand flag debate is a periodic question over whether the national flag should be changed. For several decades, alternative designs have been proposed, with varying degrees of support. There is no consensus among proponents of changing the flag as to which design should replace the current one. Common criticisms of the existing form of the New Zealand flag are its similarity to the Australian flag and the inappropriateness of retaining the Union Jack in the design. A series of polls conducted since the 1970s have shown that a majority of New Zealanders prefer the current flag. New Zealand's Government held a two-stage binding referendum on a flag change in 2015 and 2016. The four designs chosen as finalists faced criticism for their similarity and reliance on sporting iconography more closely associated with a subset of the population. The referendum was also criticised as an expensive distraction from more important political issues—especially because of the over ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2015–2016 New Zealand Flag Referendums
Two New Zealand flag referendums were held by the New Zealand Government in November/December 2015 and March 2016 to determine the nation's flag. The voting resulted in the retention of the current flag of New Zealand. Shortly after the referendum announcement, party leaders reviewed draft legislation and selected candidates for a Flag Consideration Panel. The purpose of this group was to publicise the process, seek flag submissions and suggestions from the public, and decide on a final shortlist of options. Open consultation and design solicitation garnered 10,292 design suggestions from the public, later reduced to a "longlist" of 40 designs and then a "shortlist" of four designs to contend in the first referendum. Following a petition, the shortlist was later expanded to include a fifth design, the Red Peak. The first referendum took place between 20 November and 11 December 2015 and asked, "If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?" Voters were present ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lockwood Silver Fern Flag
The black, white and blue silver fern flag is a proposed flag for New Zealand by architectural designer Kyle Lockwood. It was first designed using different colours in 2000. It was voted as the preferred alternative New Zealand flag in the first of two 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums, New Zealand flag referendums in December 2015, and was used in the second flag referendum in a binding contest against the Flag of New Zealand, current New Zealand flag. Despite a UMR poll predicting that the flag would earn only 35% of the vote, the Silver Fern Flag gained a significant minority in the March 2016 referendum with 43.2% of the vote, whilst the existing flag won with 56.6% of the vote. Design and symbolism The design of the flag combines the silver fern flag (toward the Hoist (flag), hoist) with the Southern Cross Flag, stars of the current national flag. The silver fern frond is a popular symbol of the people of New Zealand, while the stellar constellation known as the so ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
