New Zealanders say no to changing flag
Critics scathing of fern alternative as ‘beach towel’
WELLINGTON // New Zealand voted to retain its national flag in a nationwide poll that ended yesterday.
After a 16-month exercise that cost taxpayers NZ$ 26 million (Dh64 million), preliminary results showed that Kiwis wanted to keep the flag, which includes the British Union flag of its former colonial ruler. The current flag has been the national symbol since 1902. Results of a referendum showed 57 per cent of the voters wanted to keep the flag, which was completed by the Southern Cross constellation, with critics branding the alternative featuring a silver fern a “beach towel”.
Supporters of change, including prime minister John Key, were hoping to get rid of the British Union flag, the emblem of the United Kingdom that adorns the top left quarter of a handful of Commonwealth flags. Those seeking change said the flag was too closely tied to New Zealand’s colonial history and is too easily confused with the flag of its nearest neighbour, Australia.
The only distinction between the two is the colour and number of the Southern Cross stars.
Former rugby All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, a prominent supporter of the new flag, said he realised this before last year’s World Cup final against Australia. “The moment when I decided a new flag would be great for our country was when running out at Twickenham and seeing the two flags looking so similar,” McCaw wrote on his Facebook page.
The alternative flag depicted a white fern on black and blue background with four red stars.
“I voted to keep the flag, not really because I didn’t like the idea of change, more because the proposed new flag is so very ugly and a bit embarrassing,” said Wellington resident Sarah Newbold. “And it reminds me too much of rugby and a corporate logo.”
More than 10,000 potential designs were submitted when Mr Key announced the referendum in October 2014, before a shortlist was formed.
The multimillion-dollar price tag for the referendum had caused some complaints from voters and opposition politicians but no major political fallout was expected.
Voter turnout in the mail ballot was 67 per cent, with 2.1 million votes cast from the country’s 3.2 million registered voters.
Yesterday’s results did not include any ballots that were already in the post, but had not yet been received. The final results, which were not expected to significantly change, will be released on Wednesday.