Flag debate: Give it a Pacific look, say Islanders

Pacific Island Kiwis say they want a flag that not only reflects today's New Zealand, but also unites the country - not divides it.

Many in the Pacific community contacted by the Herald said they did not identify with the current flag.

But changing it would be a long and controversial process, given the multi-cultural look of the country.

Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs chief executive Colin Tukuitonga said the flag was "old and dated" and it was time to get rid of the Union Jack.

"That was 100 years ago. I think it really needs something that is a representation of the country with the biggest Pacific population - a waka perhaps."

Mangere MP Su'a William Sio said the Union Jack had no meaning in today's New Zealand. That the country was located in the Pacific was not obvious, save for the Southern Cross.

"It's an important part of our history but whether or not that reflects us in the new millennium - I don't think so." A distinctive symbol - such as a moko or the retention of the Southern Cross - would be more appropriate.

Tongan community representative Salote Heleta-Lilo said although it would be nice to have something "Pacific" on the flag, such a move would prove to be controversial.

"My thinking is to have something that will unify all New Zealanders - whether you're Asian, Pacific Island, what have you."

All Black legend Michael Jones said the current flag was already meaningful and significant to him as a Kiwi-Samoan. "Seeing that flag flutter around the world - wherever we were playing - brought out a lot of pride and spurred you to play hard."

Jones said he was also mindful of the generation that fought for the current ensign.

"I agree that the country's identity is changing, but we should be a more mature enough country to make the changes ourselves. It shouldn't be a flag that changes us."

Otara artist Ema Tavola, who is Fijian and also part-Pakeha, supported the move to get rid of the Union Jack.

Referring to the Fijian flag, which still includes the Union Jack, she said Fijians had always been "fiercely" proud of it - something that was different from New Zealand.

"[Fiji is] such a tiny country, but come the rugby sevens and the rest of it, you see us straight away. We're fiercely proud of our flag and our identity - you don't get that here."