Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE chosen a silver fern on a black-and-blue background as their preferred flag design if the South Pacific nation decides to dump Britain’s Union Jack from its national banner, officials said today.
The design beat four other contenders in a nation-wide referendum, according to preliminary results released by the New Zealand Electoral Commission.
Simply titled “Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue)”, the design will go head-to-head with the existing flag in a second referendum in March next year.
“While this is a preliminary result, New Zealanders can now turn their attention to deciding whether to keep the current flag, or replace it,” Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said.
Prime Minister John Key has led the push for reform, saying the existing ensign is a colonial relic that is too easily confused with Australia’s flag.
He had previously nominated the winning design as his favourite, describing the silver fern as an instantly recognisable symbol of New Zealand.
The flag and an almost identical banner from the same designer, Kyle Lockwood, were clear winners in the five-way race, each receiving more than 550,000 first-choice votes of the 1.5 million ballots cast.
Lockwood’s second-placed design simply changes the colour of one section of the flag’s background from black to red. They both feature four stars of the Southern Cross as well as the fern.
“My father represented New Zealand in underwater hockey and he always wore the silver fern on black –- I always thought it would be on the flag one day,” the designer said earlier this year.
“The Union Jack just doesn’t seem right for New Zealand these days.”
‘Kiwi as bro’
However, polling indicates the current flag remains on track to beat any contender in next year’s run-off referendum.
Formally adopted in 1902, it has a Union Jack in the upper-left corner with the Southern Cross on a dark blue background.
Once part of the British Empire, New Zealand is now independent, although Queen Elizabeth II remains head of state.
However, her power is seen as largely symbolic, and changing the flag is seen by some as helping cut lingering colonial ties.
Key argues a silver fern flag will boost New Zealand’s global profile and will be “worth billions”.
He has cited another former British colony, Canada, as an inspiration, saying the maple leaf adopted in 1965 is now a universally loved national symbol.
Opponents of change say New Zealanders have fought under the existing banner and also criticise the NZ$26 million (€14.5 million) cost of the referendum.
In a rare show of civil disobedience, veterans’ group the Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) encouraged Kiwis to spoil their ballots.
The normally conservative association argues that to change the flag disrespects previous generations of soldiers who have died fighting under the banner.
“When they have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, our flag has been draped over their casket at military funerals,” it says on its website.
The often heated debate has also had its lighter moments, particularly when the original 10,000-plus submissions for new flags were publically released.
One of the most popular designs with online users was a flag featured a kiwi bird shooting green lasers from its eyes.
Another had a sheep alongside a cone of ice cream, with designer Jesse Gibbs saying the juxtaposition of the two New Zealand favourites was “Kiwi as bro”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
but but but Poots took legal advice …… god save us
@Jim Buckley Barrett: Did you hear who he took that advice from? I’m not even kidding here, Jamie effing Bryson. The loyalist headbanger. .
@Pete Gilmartin: the Poundshop Lawyer, mar a deir Colum Eastwood. The absolute catastrophe that is the leadership of far-right Unionism, is like an elixer of youth for me today, its like drinking pure happiness. Can’t wait for this Assembly election now.
@Pete Gilmartin: Are you serious? Bryson hasn’t even passed the bar.
@Pete Gilmartin: Had to go and Google that… Seems you were kidding, Poots got his legal advice from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Yep, but Bryson claimed in a radio interview he gave it. Anything to try to make himself relevant.
@Isa: That’s it, he’d say mass…
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: No Kidding – Bryson is claiming in todays Belfast Telegraph that he had been advising Poots and the DUP with all the legal implications of the Protocol for months.
Poots said yesterday that he also received legal opinion from John Larkin but didnt clarify what that opinion was and which opinion he eventually went on before acting. Mind you, I dont think the DUP was ever in the business of taking advice from anyone.
@Angela McCarthy: that’s a scurrilous remark ! DUP take advice from Doctor No.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Bryson never passed a bar in his life, especially when Edwin in buying.
If this judicial review shows that Edwin Poots broke the law then he should suffer the consequences of his actions.
@Joe Johnson: while I agree in principle, he can say it was based on legal advice and legal advice often differs, even though what he was trying to do was a wrecking tactic, it’s probably not criminal. In any case, he hasn’t managed to be selected by his party to run in the now consequent election, so his punishment will be to live on in ignominy as one of the most incompetent politicians in the history of Ireland or Britain. And probably the World.
Playing bigoted politics to get what you what to the detriment of workers across the whole island should not be allowed happen, he somehow needs to be sanctioned
You couldn’t write what’s happening in the UK at present. Brexit is a disaster and will have long lasting negative ramifications. Throw in the DUP and Borris and the asylum starts rocking to ABBA….
There’s no one driving the red bus these days, they’re all partying down the back.
@Kevin Conway: I quote Professor Anton Muscatelli principal and vice chancellor at the University of Glasgow from 2018.
“the most unhinged example of national self-sabotage in living memory.”
I think the legal opinion that Poots received must have been given to him at an Orange Lodge, or in a pub.
@Angela McCarthy: The News Letter says he got it from John Larkin the former Attorney General in the North.
@FiannaFáilness FineGaelness: Jamie Bryson is claiming credit for it on Twitter
@James Beattie: Forgive me for not believing Mr. Bryson.
Here it is for all unionist supporters to see, the UK government does care about Northern Ireland or even consider it as part of the union. Serious questions need to be asked by the people of NI, and in particular the six counties, if they see themselves as been part of the UK moving forward, with the likes of the DUP.
@Michael: I presume you meant to say – ” does not care” in which case I agree with you 100%
@David Abbott: yes.
@David Abbott: correct.
Well that’s embarrassing…
That’ll poots him in his place
Better call Saul…..
Pussin Poots
The Befast High Court did’nt give two hoots for Edwin Poots.
have your say