Friday 27 November 2015

Kiwi expats oppose flag change

The campaign to change New Zealand’s flag is unlikely to get much of a boost from Kiwis living overseas, a new ‘global census’ suggests.

The 2015 Kea/Colmar Brunton Every Kiwi Counts survey, which had nearly 14,000 responses from expat Kiwis, found their views on the flag debate were similar to those of New Zealand residents.

Only 38 per cent of expat New Zealanders surveyed wanted the New Zealand flag changed to a new design, while 52 per cent preferred the current design to be retained and 11 per cent were undecided.

By comparison, a Colmar Brunton poll around the time of the Every Kiwi Counts survey found 28 per cent of New Zealanders wanted to change the flag, with 66 per cent opposing change and 6 per cent undecided.

Kea Global CEO Craig Donaldson says with many expats eligible to vote in the upcoming flag referendum, the Every Kiwi Counts survey findings are a valuable addition to the debate on the issue.

“Kea’s global network gives unrivalled access to the opinions of Kiwis around the world on topical issues. With one million New Zealanders now living overseas, expats have an important role to play in debates about this country’s future,” he says.

“The flag referendum has been one of the biggest talking points among Kea members in recent months and has generated huge discussion in our social media forums.”

Donaldson notes the survey canvassed the views of repats (returned New Zealanders) and friends of New Zealand, who were not born here but have strong connections to this country.

“Friends of New Zealand seem to have a strong attachment to our nation’s flag, with only 28 per cent supporting change compared to 54 per cent who want the flag retained. Repats were more open to change, with 46 per cent supporting a new flag and 48 per cent wanting no change.”

The Every Kiwi Counts survey also found strong support for New Zealand remaining a monarchy.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of all respondents wanted our current system of governance to continue, compared to 21 per cent who wanted New Zealand to become a republic.

Colmar Brunton CEO Jacqueline Farman says, “New Zealand may one day have a President, but it won’t be for a while yet. The Every Kiwi Counts survey shows there is still plenty of support from New Zealanders all around the world for keeping the monarchy.

“Prince Charles will be pleased to hear this result after getting a warm reception in his recent visit to New Zealand. Even friends of New Zealand want us to remain a monarchy, with more than half saying our system of government should stay as it is.”

The first flag referendum, which asks New Zealanders to rank alternative flag designs, will run until 11 December.

In March next year there will be another referendum to choose between the most preferred option from the first referendum and the current flag.

Every Kiwi Counts findings:

Do you support changing the New Zealand flag?

Ends

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