Flag debate: Home-grown ensign does away with union symbol

The New Zealand national flag flying on a flag pole at 644 Manukau Road in Auckland. Photo / Sarah Ivey

As a statement of intent, it doesn't come much blunter than this. The flag pictured at right has been flying outside Tom Weal's Epsom home for the past 18 months.

The Manukau Rd property had long been known for the ensign of El Salvador on its flagpole. Mr Weal was the country's consul in Auckland for almost 30 years.

But his decision a few years ago to give up that role gave him the chance to fly something different.

"Having the Union Jack just doesn't apply any more. This is New Zealand. We're an independent country.

"Coming under Britain - it no longer applies. Much of what Britain stands for does not apply here in New Zealand."

Mr Weal, 81, said he had nothing against the current flag and acknowledged that he had British and Irish ancestry.

But he sees himself as a Kiwi and believes it is important the flag displays a Kiwi identity rather than emphasising a British symbol.

"We're moving forward. The adolescent New Zealand has grown up [and] I think New Zealand has left home."

Many people who have passed Mr Weal's home want to hear about the story behind his flag. Most have reacted positively, he says.

"People will come and ask what it's all about. And [the reaction] has been quite accepting - they seem to think it's a good idea, when I explain it."

But Mr Weal wants something different for a new national flag.

That bit of canvas is being prepared and is set to fly over Mr Weal's property soon.

The design for his new flag keeps with the navy blue background, with the Southern Cross where the Union flag is now.

The flag is then split diagonally (from the bottom left to the top right corner) with the bottom triangle coloured white. Over the white segment will be a simply drawn map of New Zealand, coloured green.

"The Southern Cross is positioned correctly as New Zealand is positioned beneath it and ... it's a boast to the world that we are clean and green."

Mr Weal said he understood why so many New Zealand Prime Ministers had been "guarded" around the often-unpopular issue of changing the national flag, but the time was right for the country to make its own history.