Changing New Zealand's Flag

           By March 24^th Kiwis will send in their ballots to decide if their flag should change to a new design featuring the silver fern. (Tunstall) I found this situation particularly interesting because of how uncommon it is. In the United States we’ve added stars over the years, but to completely change the design is a notion that is unfamiliar to me.

            The project so far has taken many stages, including outreach events, a long-list of 40 designs condensed from over 10,000 public submissions, a short-list of five, and now, the final design: Kyle Lockwood’s black white and blue silver fern. (“How We,” Tunstall)

            At first I was not too impressed by the new flag design– I thought it was a little cheesy and that it could go out-of-date very quickly, even though the specific requirements on the New Zealand Government website suggest that the design be timeless. (“How the”) However, as I learned more about the silver fern, I realized how this new flag design could truly give New Zealand a new identity–or rather, a more fitting identity. The silver fern is a symbol embraced by New Zealanders. It represents the modern era, but also gives a significant nod to New Zealand’s history and Maori culture. As I’ve recently learned, to the Maori, the silver fern means working together towards a common goal. Historically, Maori used the silver fern to mark their trails at night. Today, it is still used in traditional dances and performances. Many New Zealand sports teams and companies use the silver fern as their emblem. (“New Zealand Icon”)

            I was able to talk to a native New Zealander about the issue at the Rotorua YHA. He was very willing to talk to me at first, but when I brought the topic up, he more-or-less rolled his eyes. I was surprised by his reaction and I initially thought he would not want to continue the conversation. As I later learned, it was just a topic he was a little exasperated with. I started with my first question, asking when he first heard about the flag debate.

He said the flag debate first came to his attention about six months ago, though he personally was not too invested in the topic. His main frustration, he said, is that there are many other issues that the government should be focused on solving, rather than putting effort and more importantly, money, into the project that may or may not change anything. So far, $10.3 million has been spent on the flag project. Additionally, the final vote will cost $7 million as it is through the mail. And if the flag does change, the government will spend $2.7 million to change to the new flag on buildings and uniforms. (Tunstall) I’m fairly confident that this man is not alone with this frustration, and I too, am finding myself questioning the cost.

            When asked, he said that although he had not participated in any votes or events as a part of the project, he will be participating in the final vote, albeit reluctantly. “Every vote counts,” he said. His answers to my questions were rather succinct, but I do understand why, and even though he may have not have been thrilled with this topic I am very glad I was able to learn about his perspective. He was different from the tour guides we had heard earlier in Wellington, since they seemed to have enjoyed the debate and the media surrounding it.

            Despite this man’s own reservations, he believes that the flag will end up changing. I asked him why people may want the change and he said for “identification and recognition.” I understand the initiative for the change more now, especially after realizing the symbolism of the silver fern. I had seen it on t-shirts and hats in souvenir shops, realized that it was important to New Zealand, but did not understand its cultural significance. The silver fern would be able to give New Zealand its own, stronger, identity. This new flag would remove the Union Jack, separate New Zealand from Australia’s very similar flag, but still give a nod to the flag’s (and country’s) history with the Southern Cross. It may be time for a new identity for New Zealand, but how much money and effort the government is pouring into the project is still a consideration for the validity of the movement.

Works Cited

"How the Alternative Flags Were Chosen." New Zealand Government. New Zealand Government, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.

"How We Got Here." New Zealand Government. New Zealand Government, 10 Dec. 2015. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.

"New Zealand Icon: Silver Fern." 100% Pure New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.

Tunstall, Kashka. "NZ's Flag Referendum Determines Challenger - Now What?" Stuff.co.nz. Stuff, 12 Dec. 2015. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.