Opinions on NZ flag?

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#534578 18-Oct-2011 09:47

Change would be just for change sake, we don't need that right now. Too much hassle and money.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

jjnz1

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#534593 18-Oct-2011 10:17

I think we should follow Canada's path and change our flag to the white/silver fern on black, to provide a bit of uniqueness.

Every 6 months or so I have to ask my self, is that Aussies flag or ours? AND I'm sure I'm not the only Kiwi to do it!

In regards to 'we don't need the extra expensive at the moment', a million or two is chump change, and think about the brand recognition and tourism it will bring in. Especially if we promote the term 'Kiwi's' with the new flag.

Now, why on Earth would people ask the following question?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_New_Zealand_a_part_of_Australia

Jaxson

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#534597 18-Oct-2011 10:26

jjnz1: Especially if we promote the term 'Kiwi's' with the new flag.

You know there's no obvious link to a kiwi bird if it's a white fern on black right?

jjnz1

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#534599 18-Oct-2011 10:30

Jaxson:
jjnz1: Especially if we promote the term 'Kiwi's' with the new flag.

You know there's no obvious link to a kiwi bird if it's a white fern on black right?

Haha yep of course.

TheUngeek

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#534601 18-Oct-2011 10:39

I would burn any silverfern "flag" with out hesitation.
We have a flag, why change it? It is our flag.
If anything we need to change our anthem from the mish mashed dual language farcical funeral dirge it is

Jaxson

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#534610 18-Oct-2011 11:00

TheUngeek: we need to change our anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC5bngo9x0

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wmoore

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#534613 18-Oct-2011 11:01

This topic comes up nearly every year. We have had this current flag since 1902 so why change it, looks nothing like the Australian flag unless you can't tell the difference between white and red stars.
If I had to change it I would just replace the stars with a silver fern and no other changes.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

jjnz1

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#534625 18-Oct-2011 11:30

TheUngeek: I would burn any silverfern "flag" with out hesitation.
We have a flag, why change it? It is our flag.
If anything we need to change our anthem from the mish mashed dual language farcical funeral dirge it is

Ouch! Do you not like the Maori version or the English version? Do you realise we have a rare anthem that is based upon an old prayer unlike most other countries that blatantly state "We are gods, all others bow to us! We are so great etc etc"
The NZ anthem is very modest. You should be proud.

wmoore:
If I had to change it I would just replace the stars with a silver fern and no other changes.

+1 Maybe change the background to black?

TheUngeek

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#534628 18-Oct-2011 11:33

It just sounds so depressing and boring!
Also I (like many many NZers) am not a fan of having Maori forced on me. I find it very offensive to have the Anthem started in a foreign language.
Yeah yeah I know I'm not allowed to say that as it's racist. BS. I'm not racist. I no not hate or dislike Maori.

Jaxson

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#534629 18-Oct-2011 11:35

jjnz1: anthem that is based upon an old prayer

Good point, suck out any reference to a higher being as well.

freitasm

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#534630 18-Oct-2011 11:35

TheUngeek: I find it very offensive to have the Anthem started in a foreign language.

It's not a foreign language just because you can't speak it. English, Maori and New Zealand sign language are official languages in this country.

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TheUngeek

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#534631 18-Oct-2011 11:37

And I disagree with that.

jjnz1

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#534637 18-Oct-2011 11:56

TheUngeek: And I disagree with that.

Yes, its not nice to have something push upon you, BUT you do live in Aotearoa. Kinda the same analogy as 'I live in Canada, but really don't like having the French language pushed on me, why is it everywhere?'

Have you though about the bigger picture (other than yourself) of not promoting/endorsing the Maori culture?

If we omit the culture from everyday NZ things like the Haka, anthem, place names, our people, then we will lose our individuality from the rest of the world, including the loss of our history.

NZ is well know in WW1 for its Maori division and their heroic hand to hand combat warfare, it sounds like you are denying NZ this accomplishment (and others).

If we listening and followed your lead, we may well end up loosing our NZ heritage, as well as denying future Maori and NZ kids the right to know how our beautiful country came to be.

Kev49

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#534639 18-Oct-2011 12:00

+1 for White Fern on Black. 3
We already identify with it and others identify us with it. I suspect the silver fern and the Kiwi are the most internationally recognised symbols of NZ.

Love the Maori version of our anthem. Sounds great and is uniquely us. I'm not interested in the PC aspect. Maori and English verses is a good balance for those that are. We're not a British colony any more.
If I had to chose I'd go with the Maori version every time.

NonprayingMantis

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#534640 18-Oct-2011 12:01

I like anthems that are patriotic and uplifting. "advance australia fair" "land of the free, home of the brave" "germany over all" etc.

France has a particularly cool one:

Let's go children of the fatherland,

The day of glory has arrived!

Against us tyranny's

Bloody flag is raised! (repeat)

In the countryside, do you hear

The roaring of these fierce soldiers?

They come right to our arms

To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

Grab your weapons, citizens!

Form your batallions!

Let us march! Let us march!

May impure blood

Water our fields!

To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

NZ?s sounds like an appeal from a pathetic helpless bunch of losers. "God defend New Zealand" = "We can't defend ourselves so we need a deity to do it."
(same goes for God save the queen)

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