Kiwi goes for ‘Yes’

New Zealand-born Glasgow resident Amy Cunningham voted Yes in the referendum that was held overnight to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country.

The 29-year-old lawyer, who holds a British passport and was therefore eligible to vote, said she had been weighing up the arguments for both sides since the referendum was announced in 2011.

In the past few months she and her Scottish partner had been to referendum-related debates, film screenings and Edinburgh Fringe Festival comedy events. She said she had also been to rallies, flash mobs and impromptu street parties (ceilidhs) in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Despite what some media had reported, the atmosphere in Scotland was “fantastic” in the lead-up to the referendum, Ms Cunningham said.

“The ‘R’ word has been on everyone’s lips and there is a genuine buzz of excitement on the streets.” Jack missing from your flag, I would think that would have to happen and the New Zealand Ensign Act, I would imagine, would have to be amended to reflect that.”

Ministry of Culture and Heritage spokesman Sean McKenna said if Scotland became independent, the UK may consider changing the Union Jack but this “would not happen quickly”.

“Again, this consideration process would likely take some time, and the New Zealand Government would look at what other countries were doing.

‘‘This is all very conditional and at each step time would be needed to work through the issues.”

Earlier this year a Herald- Digipoll survey revealed a majority of New Zealanders were against changing the national flag but if a new flag was chosen in a public referendum, the silver fern was the most popular design.

Asked if they felt the time had come for New Zealand to design a new flag for itself, 52.6 per cent of those surveyed said “No’’ and 40.6 per cent said “Yes’’.