Silver Fern with Southern Cross Designed by: Kyle Lockwood
Silver Fern with Southern Cross Designed by: Kyle Lockwood
Introducing the sliver fern but keeping the Southern Cross appears to be the favoured option to replace the country's current flag - but some are still adamant the $26 million change is not needed.
Local leaders and Bay citizens leaned toward a favoured design that features the silver fern in place of the Union Jack, a black and blue colour scheme and the Southern Cross.
The Flag Consideration Panel picked 40 possible flag options from 10,292 designs, a final four will be chosen for a public vote.
Twenty feature the Southern Cross, which is on the existing flag, 19 feature a koru pattern, 11 feature a fern, two feature the seven stars of Matariki, and 14 have a combination of two features.
Mayor Stuart Crosby did not think the flag change was the "biggest issue facing the country", but thought the Union Jack should be replaced with "something more relative to New Zealand".
Mayor Stuart Crosby
"The Southern Cross reflects the country's position and the fern is our identity," Mr Crosby said.
"In doing that we're still respecting all the history behind our country and flag. Mother England cut us loose years ago.
Tauranga RSA president Dick Frew opposed the flag being changed.
"We buried a lot of good guys under that flag, leave the flag alone."
However, Mr Frew would like to see the Southern Cross remain on the flag and the introduction of the silver fern if the change went ahead.
Mount Maunganui RSA president Carol Cook maintained the RSA's views against the change but said the money could be spent elsewhere.
"I don't agree with the country spending $26 million on a flag change, that's a hell of a lot of money that could be spent on more important issues like education or healthcare.
"Let's keep the flag that we have. It holds a lot of value to the return servicemen." Mrs Cook said.
Western Bay of Plenty District mayor Ross Paterson called the flag change, an "update".
"We should hold onto some of the country's past because it means a lot to people what's happened in the past 50 years. But I'm also looking for a sign to show we're going forward," Mr Paterson said.
"I'm keen to see a little bit of the old and a little bit of the new."
The two-part referendum will be by postal ballot. The first vote in November will pick the most popular alternative from the final four designs and the second vote in March will see the existing flag up against the most popular alternative.
We asked Bay residents, what flag do you prefer out of the 40 designs?
"I'm against the flag change. I'd rather see that money spent on more important things. But if I had to choose I like the fern and the black, that represents our country." Louie Hawkins, 40's, Omanu
"I think it's time for a change. I like how the fern and stars represent New Zealand. That's how I see New Zealand." Sarah King, 27, Otumoetai
"None appeal to me at all. They're cliche, and I just want to say - ugh." Carly Scapens, 35, Judea
"I don't think it needs to be changed. It represents our past and history and the change is mocking our history. That money could be on better things." Tania Locki, 45, Papamoa
"I like the fern being in there because it relates to New Zealand. The current flag is confusing with Australia's and it's hard to tell them apart." Bev Moody, 70's, Katikati
