NZ Media Statement

For immediate release

Images of flags and t-shirts are available from www.nzflag.com

21 June 2004

www.NZFlag.com opens non-profit store

www.NZFlag.com Trust has opened an online store offering campaign merchandise to the public. Supporters of the campaign for a flag change can now stimulate debate by flying the silver fern, wearing a t-shirt, or displaying a promotional card. Supporters' dollars are directed straight back into the campaign. Flags, cards and t-shirts are all available at http://www.nzflag.com/store.cfm

Already a large number of stylised ferns are being flown at homes, cafes and businesses around the country. Rugby commentator, Keith Quinn, has been adorning his Lower Hutt home with the fern for some time now.

"I've long had a hankering that we kiwis should have a flag that looks uniquely our own. When you go to a Bledisloe Cup game and all the flags are waving in the crowd to me they all seem the same; they both have the Union Jack with the Southern Cross on a blue background.

Designed by Cameron Sanders of Cato Partners, the promotional cards contain various New Zealand images from around the country. The t-shirts are available in several designs, in children and adult sizes. According to a poll on the site the most popular is a 'new new zealand' slogan with a silver fern.

The NZFlag.com Trust, established in April, seeks to gather around 300,000 signatures early next year to hold a referendum asking New Zealanders to have their say on whether New Zealand should change its flag.

Ends

For more information visit www.nzflag.com

www.nzflag.com Trust has been established to inspire and stimulate debate about whether New Zealand should change its flag.

The Trust believes in two guiding principles:

1.. The debate must be apolitical

2.. Change can only happen if New Zealanders agree to change ie by a referendum

3.. The campaign must respect the current flag 48 high profile New Zealanders have currently endorsed the debate to change the flag, and more are joining each week.

Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop says "I endorse the concept of celebrating our land, our people with a national flag that respects and appreciates the wonderful country that we have become. Our culture is special, our people unique. From our Pacificana home we can proudly stamp our cultural reference and wave our uniquely New Zealand flag above the world stage."

For endorsements from 47 other high profile New Zealanders go to www.nzflag.com

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