Most of these are veterans who fought in several conflicts involving New Zealand using the current flag. Additionally, the current national flag bears the Union Jack which is a reminder of its colonial past, a historical fact that New Zealanders wants to put behind them. New Zealand typically comes beneath the shadow of Australia, its bigger neighbor, and having flags which are virtually equivalent exclusively compounds that drawback.
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Nearly all of the 40 finalists feature one of three design elements, or a combination of them: the koru, the silver fern and the Southern Cross.
The koru is a spiral image that was typically utilized in indigenous Maori artwork. It also has metaphorical meanings, suggesting perpetual movement and the circular nature of life. It’s featured on many issues, from tattoo designs to Air New Zealand’s emblem. In all the designs shortlisted, the silver fern is the most conspicuous fixture.
The panel selected the forty alternative flag designs, which were unmistakably from New Zealand and celebrated the country as a “progressive, inclusive nation that is connected to its environment and has a sense of its past and a vision for its future”. Even more than the koru, the silver fern has become a national symbol, and is worn by numerous country’s sports teams, including the beloved All Blacks rugby team.
The Southern Cross is a constellation visible only in the southern hemisphere. In contrast to the koru and silver fern, the Southern Cross is featured on the present flag. An awesome flag is timeless and communicates swiftly and potently the essence of the nation it represents.
According to the legislation, the flag can be changed by a simple majority of the parliament, but the government has decided that a flag should be selected by all New Zealanders. “It ought to converse to all Kiwis”.
Some individuals are involved the 40 designs are too comparable and never artistically formidable sufficient. Others worry they look too much like corporate logos, are too complicated or don’t tell a strong enough story.
A humorous column in The Sydney Morning Herald was titled “New Zealand has 40 concepts for a brand new flag – they usually’re awful”.
However, those against the initiative might have a point as well; besides spending a great amount of taxpayer money – $17 million – it will take forever before all the people that need to be consulted will agree on a single design.
As a Panel, we’ve been appointed by government to determine the four alternative flag designs in a neutral and unbiased way. New Zealanders will then vote for their favorite among those in a November referendum. For Labour party leader Andrew Little, the flag-changing is a “hugely expensive and highly unpopular vanity project”. The finalist will be pitted against the current flag and a second referendum – taking place next March – will finally decide the fate of the New Zealand’s flag.
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“Well I ceaselessly get confused between the Aussie and New Zealand flags, so am open to vary”, Alison Lonsdale stated.
