The flag debate: Your views

The Herald asked readers for their opinions on whether to change the flag. Here is a selection of the feedback:

The Union Jack should not be taken out of the flag because of the heritage of Great Britain. NZ is not a republic so do not remove the Union Jack.

I'm keen for a change because I'm a republican and don't feel a need to retain the Union Jack component. I like the idea of a koru or other indigenous symbol, but think that although they are attractive options, they're not so practical.

I think the flags introduced are unsightly. Very colourful but they do not look official. Also many seem to be disregarding the fact that we are a Commonwealth nation, and capitalise on the pretty Maori designs.

The main issues I have with the current flag are its similarity to the Australian flag and the lack of any real identity.

High time we changed our flag to represent our current multicultural base rather than living in the old colonial days

This is a case of cultural cringe leading us to fix what ain't broke. So what if our flag is like the Aussie flag - do you see them worrying or losing sleep over such a non-issue?

Soldiers fought in wars to defend all New Zealanders, they fought being proud of the flag and NZ. Why would we want to change our flag?

I just want a new flag because I've never liked the old one. No one wears our current flag on sports uniforms or anything.

It is a link to our British heritage, and a lot of New Zealanders have died fighting for the flag.

The argument that it isn't that different from Australia's is a slap in the face as they copied our flag. We need to maintain our links to Britain as it is our strongest ally.

Most people regard the silver fern as our flag. It shouts NZ to everybody, far more than the old one. That is too similar to Australia's, plus too reminiscent of "Mother England".

I think that this is an important issue for a couple of reasons. Our flag is too similar to Australia's. The Union Jack does not have relevance to most New Zealanders. We need something which instantly identifies the flag as NZ's.

None of the suggested flags really jump out as a viable alternative. The Canadian flag is particularly strong. Why couldn't we have a koru (as used by Air New Zealand) bordered by two horizontal blue panels?

I don't believe nationhood is determined by a logo. The current flag is symbolic of New Zealand's heritage and therefore remains relevant. Changing the flag will therefore not materially influence how I feel about the country.

We need a national flag, not a logo. The proposed designs will date very quickly. I believe the existing flag to be perfectly fine and wish that vociferous self-opining merchants would devote some time and effort to things that are really much more important in the scheme of things.

The flag needs to reflect the young and vibrant country with no reference to its colonial past. Encompass multiculturalism but emphasise the unique Pacific and Maori heritage.

I hate the thought of a black flag. This is the colour of death, not that of a young vibrant country.

I think the possibility of ending up with a flag that is cringeworthy is very high, so I do not support this change. Why fix something that is not broken?

I think this issue is a waste of money. I know I am a New Zealander. I eat pavlovas and Watties tomato sauce and fish'n'chips wrapped in newspaper with L&P.

While I am always proud to see the current flag flying, especially when overseas, it is beyond time that we should break away from the Mother Britain image - this doesn't have to mean a republic. I am heartily sick of huffing and puffing from RSA types about fighting for the old flag - changing the flag doesn't denigrate their efforts.

Flags represent history, and part of our New Zealand history involves colonisation by the British Empire as reflected by the Union jack in our flag. Why rewrite history by having a flag carrying an emblem such as a silver fern which only represents current views?

I'm yet to find a very convincing argument to change the flag. Personally, I think the design is too similar to the Australian flag, but that shows our close relationship with our neighbours and the fact that our economies rely strongly on each other for support and trade.

It's an irrelevance. Given another 20 to 25 years NZ will become part of Australia either directly - and therefore with the Australian flag - or indirectly, in which case the similarities between NZ and Australian flags become irrelevant.

Our country still is ruled under the monarchy and we have strong ties with the United Kingdom. Until that changes I believe we should just leave it the way it is. There are more important issues to be campaigning about than our flag.

There is nothing wrong with the current flag - I can identify with it, it means my country, my people. Anything else will never replace it. If people are having trouble identifying our flag then I suggest they get out an encyclopaedia!

I think it is healthy to review things from time to time. It is probably about time we reviewed it - as it does seem to be quite dated.

It is said that New Zealanders have died for the current flag. This is rubbish. They died for a way of life, belief in their country, freedom, democracy or any other of a million personal reasons, not for a hunk of cloth.

I would like the flag to be distinctively New Zealand and instantly recognisable anywhere in the world. The Silver Fern and Southern Cross stars would ideally be part of the design. The colours of the flag should be red, white and blue. Definitely no black colouring - it is too sombre.

Keep the four stars and the same background and have New Zealand image on the leaf.

I like the silver fern on black that is waved at most rugby fixtures and would hope that's what the new flag will look like.

The change of flag is to identify with today's people - it doesn't mean that we are discarding the royal heritage. The flag was created by men of a time that represented settlers, not today's young.

I think the image of the fern is important. The design should be simple and uncluttered.

* If you would like to participate in future New Zealand Herald surveys and help give us regular feedback on the Herald, you can join our Reader Panel. Go to www.nzherald.co.nz/panel for more information.