New Zealand Flag Referendum
The New Zealand flag is almost identical to the Australian flag, which has created some confusion and political embarrassment. In 2015 and 2016, New Zealand held flag referendums asking the public for proposed designs. 10,292 suggestions were made.
Charlotte Drene, from Canterbury
"Snapper Quota Unicorn"
'New Zealanders are very interested in Snapper quota, and what better way to bring it to the people than this country's native bird - the Unihorned Kiwi bird.'
James Gray, from Auckland
"Fire the Lazar"
'The laser beam projects a powerful image of New Zealand.'
Angela Inglis, from Auckland
"Fush and Chups"
'The yellow motif represents the golden sun, and the golden chips of this fair land. It's our British heritage, filling our hearts with pride.'
The political opposition was critical of the $4 million publicity campaign and ultimately the $26 million spent on the 10-month process.
After preliminary campaigns, five final designs were voted on in September 2015. The winning flag was then put up against the current flag.
In March 2016 New Zealand voted to keep the established banner incorporating the Union Jack and the Southern Cross.
The Union Jack
The Union Flag is one of the world's oldest national flags... if you overlook the fact it's only meant to be flown at sea, the proportions are wrong and no one can agree on its name. - Jonathan Duffy BBC News Magazine
The Union Flag combines three national flags. The Red Cross of St George for England, the white saltire of St Andrew for Scotland were combined in 1606 and the red saltire of St Patrick for Ireland was added in 1801.
The term 'Union Jack' is a reference to the flag of nationality displayed on a ship jackstaff and those purists interested in the Union Flag versus Union Jack debate, which appear to be limited in number, insist that the flag can be referred to as a Union Jack only when flown on a vessel.
In the 1700's, seamen avoided harbor duties by flying the Union Jack. In response, the flag was limited to Royal ships "upon pain of Our high displeasure" and it is still a criminal offense to fly the Union Jack on an unauthorized boat.
The United States takes its flag very seriously and has an entire code dedicated to the proper treatment of the flag. The UK doesn’t have any of this . . . which I guess explains why no one makes any noise over the availability of Union Jack underwear or seat cushions. - @jonathanwthomas
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| U.S. Honour Guard mistakenly flies the Union Flag upside down. |
Aside from maritime display, the current flag "fell into use" rather than being formally adopted and there are limited parameters for use. One expectation is flying the flag right side up. The almost symmetrical design confuses more than half of the country who are unable to identify when the flag is flown correctly.
The person who holds the flag determines what is written on it. - Ivan Sukhov
Considering that at one time, the sun never set on the British Empire, the Union Jack appears around the globe. Five Commonwealth nations incorporate the Union Jack in their flags. Eighteen territories and ten provinces and states display flags with a Union Jack including the state of Hawaii.
However, New Zealand isn't the first country to consider removing the sign of imperialism. Canada adopted the maple leaf in 1965 and South Africa removed the Union Jack in 1994.
The upcoming Royal nuptials, if the last Royal wedding was anything to go by, will involve a huge upswing in the sale and display of items incorporating the Union Jack, some of which will inevitably be upside down and some of which will inevitably be "upon pain of Our high displeasure".
#Politics #UK #Country
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