Process for NZ Flag Consideration Announced

Tuesday, 5 May 2015, 12:26 pm
Article: Francis Cook

Emeritus Professor John Burrows today laid out the formal process for the coming flag referendums. Speaking at Te Papa’s Icon Room, he described the procedure for selection in detail, emphasising the New Zealand public’s contribution to the decision.

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Panel Chair Prof John Burrows

Burrows said that the flag referendums represent “democracy in action,” with the change being put up for public vote for the first time in New Zealand’s history. Flags, he said should “inspire and motivate.” Flags, he said, are about “national identity.” He encouraged the public to think about what they felt is “really special to New Zealand,” and “how our flag can represent us.”

People will be able to vote on flag designs online or by mail. Burrows said they will be getting schools involved in the design and contribution process and vans will be travelling across the country to encourage people to get involved. There will be public workshops attended by panel members in different centres around New Zealand.

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Panel Members Peter Chin, Rod Drury, Katie de Goldi, Stephen Jones, Malcom Mulholland, Nicky Bell, Julie Christie, Beatrice Faumuina, Rhys Jones, Brian Lochore and Hana O'Regan

The panel will select four designs and hold the first referendum for public voting on the designs, while the second referendum will allow New Zealanders to decide between the nominated new design and the current flag. Burrows said those wishing to keep the current flag should still participate in the first referendum.

When the final design is chosen, it will be six months until it is implemented as the official flag. A memorial flag pole will be erected at an, as yet undecided, part of Te Papa with contributors names etched upon it.

An open forum has been created for New Zealanders to discuss changes to the flag at www.standfor.co.nz while people can submit their designs to www.flag.govt.nz. The cost of the process is estimated at $25.7 million over two years.

Video here:

ENDS

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Francis Cook

Reporter

Francis studied History, gaining a first class honours in 2014. He is interested in politics, music and popular culture. His thesis looked at nuclear themes in Japanese film history.

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