Opinions on NZ flag?

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Cloudmelon

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#91612 17-Oct-2011 18:26

After reading: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/david-farrar-by-the-numbers/5799162/A-new-flag-for-New-Zealand

I agree with the idea that it promotes a uniqueness that would be easily identified with NZ. Think most people around the world would look at the NZ flag and think of Australia's one - unsurprisingly. It's a bit too similar I believe.

It's not that I think history should be forgotten/ignored or isn't relevant, but that the current flag might not be so representative of the New Zealand of today?

Any thoughts?

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#534416 17-Oct-2011 18:34

I would like to see a Silver Fern flag.
It is too similar to many others. We are part of the commonwealth, but I think the significance of that is less these days.
Surely it won't have to wait until we are a republic to consider changing the flag?

Cheers,
Joseph

MikeSkyrme

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#534419 17-Oct-2011 18:43

jofizz: I would like to see a Silver Fern flag.
It is too similar to many others. We are part of the commonwealth, but I think the significance of that is less these days.
Surely it won't have to wait until we are a republic to consider changing the flag?

Cheers,
Joseph

Silver fern won't work...., the NZRU "own" it......

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vinnieg

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#534420 17-Oct-2011 18:44

Agree, get the white Fern flag, get rid of the outdated Monarchy/Commonwealth
and change the anthem :)

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gzt

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#534424 17-Oct-2011 18:47

The similarity to the Australian flag is also part of history in a way.

Personally, I would like to see a new flag which represents NZ, but every design I have seen to date is uninspiring.

The fern for sporting competition is fine, but the silver fern on black is just too stark and one dimensional for use as a national flag.

alasta

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#534426 17-Oct-2011 18:52

I don't want it changed because the silver fern appears to be the favoured option, and it accentuates the idea that our entire culture is crass enough to revolve around rugby.

I also don't get the argument about the existing flag being too similar to Australia's, because you never hear anyone complaining that the Italian and Irish flags look too similar.

MikeSkyrme

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#534431 17-Oct-2011 19:02

alasta: I don't want it changed because the silver fern appears to be the favoured option, and it accentuates the idea that our entire culture is crass enough to revolve around rugby.

I also don't get the argument about the existing flag being too similar to Australia's, because you never hear anyone complaining that the Italian and Irish flags look too similar.

The Irish and Italian flags are not that similar.

Red, white and green vs. orange white and green.

I agree that change is not required to the NZ flag.

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gzt

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#534434 17-Oct-2011 19:06

alasta: I also don't get the argument about the existing flag being too similar to Australia's, because you never hear anyone complaining that the Italian and Irish flags look too similar.

Yes, but you never hear anyone mistaking Ireland for a small pair of islands located somewhere off the Italian eastern seaboard either

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old3eyes

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#534441 17-Oct-2011 19:21

I vote for the silver fern on black back ground. I believe that the NZRU don't own it and if they did an act of parliament would soon change it.
Judging by the number of cars in Auckland with the Silver fern logo on black and virtually nothing for the existing flag I think it speaks volume of what people think

But there will be a very vocal minority who will not want to change it because..
1. It too dark and has no color.
2. it's got no union jack.
3. It's got no stars,
4. There no Maori in it.
5. Australia hasn't done it first.

It will be like decimal currency all over again. from 1959 to about 1966 to decide what to call it and then what it will look like..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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Snowflake

#534443 17-Oct-2011 19:24

i wouldnt mind a unique flag, but at what cost?

i can just see millions and millions of $$ going into consultation, choosing, and then replacing flags.

perhaps we should look at this when the economy is in a better place...

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bazzer

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#534550 18-Oct-2011 08:41

I would say the reason there are so many cars with black flags and silver ferns is because that's what the shops are selling. Why? Because the official All Blacks merch is the same, and the non-official stores want to cash in similarly. We're supporting the All Blacks in RWC 2011, of course!

I don't see the silver fern as a rugby only thing either. Don't all our sporting teams use it? Aren't the netballers called the Silver Ferns? Does that mean it accentuates the idea that our entire culture is crass enough to revolve around sport in general? What does that even mean?

I like our current flag, but I wouldn't mind a new one. I just can't imagine anyone coming up with a design that everyone will be happy with so we'll have to put up with quite a bit of moaning about it. I'm surprised about the number of NZers that barely even know the difference between ours and Oz!

Jaxson

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#534555 18-Oct-2011 08:48

The fern design can come off looking like this

reven

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#534560 18-Oct-2011 09:01

i would love to see our flag changed to the silver fern.

kruz

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#534562 18-Oct-2011 09:04

Like the idea, but think it would create more strife than it was worth. Certain groups within NZ alredy have alternative flags they are flying at every meeting/rally, as if they are officially sanctioned now, so a new flag in over those, will be a major.

Keen on the idea though.

ZollyMonsta

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#534565 18-Oct-2011 09:13

It's not broke, so it don't need fixing. Just leave the flag as it is.

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allan

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#534577 18-Oct-2011 09:44

+ 1 for the silver fern. Yes the existing one is "broke". It actually is VERY easily confused with Australia's.

We should just do what Canada did back in the 1964. They were using the red ensign derivation of the Union Jack and they set up a 15 person cross-party committee to come up with a new design in a 6 week timeframe. Come January 1965 they began using the maple leaf flag. Up until that point the maple leaf was used from time to time as a symbol, but not officially. It's only a two colour flag, but proves that a bold two colour design actually works. No-one mistakes their flag for anyone else. Ditto for us with the silver fern. Black and white already define us in terms of colours we use, as does the silver fern itself.

Edit:

Oops, hadn't read the original article until now, but we are obviously on the same wave length re Canada...

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