Tactical votes critical if we are to ‘Keep our Flag’
The four flag designs are out but they are definitely not the ‘‘fab four.’’ Instead, 12 handsomely paid people have shortlisted options, which look as if they were designed by a committee.
John Key, the $26 million sponsor for this public money, wanted a fern and if by magic, that is what most of the designs feature, however none of the designs represents our botanically unique silver fern, a critical point so many Kiwis have up till now missed. Our silver fern is not offered as an option which so many, even All Black captain Richie McCaw supported the silver fern not knowing it was not being offered.
Mr Key originally wanted a black background but according to one flag expert, that would have put us ‘‘into a select group of ISIS and pirates.’’ Another flag expert looked over the four designs and concluded that most fail this vital test: ‘‘could an eight-year old draw it from memory.’’
A fern is not unusual in any country with a temperate climate like ours. Once coloured white and stylised into a logo, seemingly no one checked how people overseas will see it. Whilst we interpret it as a fern many overseas see it as a white feather. Such is the want of imposed branding disasters.
The Prime Minister also believes his new flag is ‘‘gonna be worth billions’’ so we asked him to justify this claim as the Waikato Times noted. Using marketingspeak, he pinned it on a 2013 report ‘Flying the Flag’ by BrandFinance. It is a huge stretch to believe a new flag will increase the value of New Zealand’s ‘‘national brand’’ by one cent. If this had a shred of truth then all countries would be chopping and changing their flags.
Another school of managerial thought believes rebranding can be a distraction from much larger issues. We have more than a few of those right now; the Auckland property bubble, a dairy export hole, falling business confidence, rising unemployment, threats of a severe El Nino drought and with it all, the real threat of recession. Canada has just slipped back into recession so its Maple Leaf is no economic shield.
What was not said to us on a new flag’s supposed value, is that the 2013 report he cited put New Zealand into the top-10 countries with explosive ‘‘brand’’ growth. Our Flag is not a hindrance because flags are not brands or logos. It is demeaning to have our nation’s symbols treated as though they were a Crunchy bar in need of a new wrapper.
If Kiwis are frustrated at this shameful waste of public money, It’s one of the biggest debates raging across the country – the New Zealand flag.
The debate has seen many Kiwis set up shop in four different camps; the KOF (keep our flag); the COF (change our flag); the HM (how much!) and the WRP (want Red Peak).
The amount spent on investigating alternatives has already cost the tax payers millions of dollars.
Winston Peters has come up with a solution for those who want the status quo.
He is urging Kiwis to cast an ‘‘informal vote’’ when they get their ballot papers for the referendum; he suggests writing KOF on the ballot form.
Waikato Times asked Kiwis in Hamilton what their thoughts were on the flag and whether they would be taking up Peters’ advice.
Hamilton student, Paige Hallam, believes a change would be good for the country.
Her biggest gripe is people
as we are, then there is a way to deliver a message.
That is to make ‘‘informal votes’’ the clear winner in this first referendum vote. Together, we can turn this first vote into the ‘‘do you want a new flag?’’ referendum that the government steadfastly refused to grant the people of New Zealand. mistaking the New Zealand flag for the Australia’s.
‘‘I think it’s a great idea in the long run because we get to decide what best represents the New Zealand identity,’’ Hallam said.
‘‘Our flag is too similar to the Australian flag so it would be good to get away from that.’’ And many feel the same way. Rositta Shannon agreed many people thought New Zealand flag was similar to Australia’s. But she won’t be taking up the Winston Peters’ suggetion.
‘‘I’m going to vote for flag change and hopefully that might mean my patience won’t be tested when I go overseas again.’’
Our advice, shared by others, is to vote but write a clear message on your ballot paper. This casts what is known as an ‘‘informal vote.’’ These votes are counted and our preference is to write ‘‘KOF’’, or ‘‘Keep our Flag’’ over the top of the four options, but anyone is free to choose the message they wish to send.
Hamilton pensioner Tony Smith isn’t buying the argument regarding the flag similarities.
‘‘If you can’t tell the difference between the Australian flag and the New Zealand flag by now you should go and get your eyes tested.’’
Smith doesn’t mind the status quo, but he won’t be casting an informal vote.
‘‘All it is, is not taking part in the first ballot. I will vote. It’s not until the second ballot when our vote will count in changing the flag.’’
Harold Green is anti change and is upset about how much has been spent so far of the move to change the flag.
‘‘Millions to change the flag! If it’s that important to the Government I would have drawn a flag and got it changed for free. Really. I just can’t get my mind around it.’’
Green will cast an informal vote: ‘‘It’s the best idea I’ve heard come out of the beehive.’’
Another young voter is keen on change, but said the four options released for
Given New Zealand servicemen and women have died for our flag and the democratic traditions it embodies, the last thing New Zealand First and others want is for people to boycott this referendum. As the Maori Anglican Church noted recently, our flag ‘‘best reflects the country’s journey and sense of history’’. consideration aren’t that attractive.
Jordan Perry would like the Red Peak flag design instead, to be among the options available.
‘‘I like the Red Peak option, it is a lot more interesting and show cases our culture.’’
Perry said he won’t be taking Peters’ advice but admits the costs of the flag campaign is bizarre.
‘‘I don’t understand how the flag change could cost that much money?
‘‘But if we’ re going through this process anyway then I think we just have to see it through and just get the result we want.’’
Labour list MP Sue Moroney has a prediction for the first vote: ‘‘A lot of people won’t.’’
‘‘The second one will see a lot of people vote to keep the same flag.’’
Moroney said she is an advocate for democracy and in getting people to vote, but the flag vote has been a hard sell.
‘‘People aren’t interested because it doesn’t affect their every day lives.
‘‘It’s a hard one to sell,’’ Moroney said.
When your ballot paper arrives consider casting an ‘‘informal vote’’ and send them a message. If this emerges as the biggest vote category it will heap farce onto this fiasco. Our flag matters because it is one of the oldest continuous flags representing one of only eight continuous democracies since 1854.