Flag debate unfurls passion

Martin Lyons of the Flag Consideration Project's Standfor Roadshow explains the flag-choosing process to Hastings resident Des Tokona. Photo / Duncan Brown

David Herewini shook his head when he came upon a Hastings information stand yesterday on the government's Flag Consideration Project to choose the country's flag by referendum.

"It has represented us for so long and through so many things - why would you want to change it?" the Hastings man said.

The stand was part of the Flag Consideration Panel's Standfor Roadshow, fluttering its way though the country.

At the Hastings CBD and Flaxmere Library yesterday two project staff explained the design and referendum process, providing literature and a video display, and today will be at the corner of Market and Emerson Sts in Napier from 9am to 3pm.

Also in Napier tonight, there will be a public meeting in Ahuriri where people can meet a member of the panel, learn history of the New Zealand flag and have an opportunity to comment.

For isolated areas, flag.govt.nz contains a community resource kit enabling groups to conduct their own workshop. It also contains resources for schools to mirror the project and send the result to the panel, which includes Havelock North businessman Rod Drury.

The deadline for designs is July 16, after which the panel will shortlist four designs for a November referendum. The design ranked highest becomes the preferred alternative design in next year's referendum.

The flag with the most votes will become/remain the country's official flag. More than 3200 proposed designs have been uploaded to the project's website, but Mr Herewini was unmoved.

"Changing the flag would be like changing your name," he said.

-Tonight's meeting is at The Ocean Suite, East Pier Hotel, 50 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, 6-7.30pm.