The popular Red Peak flag is to be added as a fifth option to the referendum to choose New Zealand’s potential new flag, following vast public pressure and a remarkable turnaround from prime minister John Key.
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New Zealand First MP Denis O’Rourke clearly took a dislike to a new wildcard entry into the competition when he spoke during the discussion.
The opposition New Zealand First party, which opposes any change of the flag, said Wednesday that the Red Peak design was already used as a USA corporate logo and was similar to German army sentry boxes in the Second World War. Getting people to participate was a success, with over 10,000 designs submitted, which were whittled down to a longlist of 40 designs and further condensed into a shortlist of four.
More than 50,000 people signed an online petition calling for the triangular design to be included in the referendum and there’s been fierce debate and discussion on both Facebook and Twitter.
“In the end, I just didn’t want people playing games …”
The two flag votes will cost taxpayers about 26 million New Zealand dollars ($16 million).
Speaking of its design, creator Aaron Dustin said Red Peak uses the shape of traditional waving patterns, and “suggests a landscape of alpine ranges, red earth, and black sky”.
“The Green Party is so much up on process, that they were not prepared in select committee or in this house to follow the democratic process and to let New Zealanders have a “yes/no” vote”.
For more than a century, New Zealanders have fought wars and won Olympic medals under a flag with four red stars on a blue background and Great Britain’s Union Jack in the corner. “My bill recognised that the referendum was going to go ahead anyway so it may as well include an option that a large number of Kiwis want”.
A second referendum will be held in early 2016 to vote between the preferred option and the existing flag.
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But he has now said it will be included in November’s referendum, which will ask New Zealanders which of the designs they prefer.
