Flag debate: Lessons for NZ in symbol for new era

Gregory Fortuin flies the New Zealand and South African flags at his Porirua home. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Gregory Fortuin says a new flag does not have to represent a tearing away from the past - it could be a symbol of a more unified country.

Mr Fortuin, South African consul and former race relations conciliator, flies the New Zealand and South African flags alternately outside his Wellington home.

He said a new flag was a crucial milestone for South Africa's emerging democracy because the Dutch-influenced Prinsevlag (Prince's flag in Afrikaans) reminded blacks of the shackles of apartheid.

Because many South Africans hesitated to adopt a new national symbol, it was important that its design included colours from all parts of the nation's history.

"You have to see it in the context of national reconciliation and unity. South Africa is the exception, having six colours instead of the usual three, to symbolise the rainbow nation.

"The flag was a combination of the old flag and the African National Congress flag. Everything we have done is around merging and uniting and combining. It's an excellent result.

"While people clung to the old flag, [the new one] is entrenched now and easily identifiable.

"If you drive around New Zealand you see a lot of bumper stickers of the South African flag - it is very present outside South Africa."

He supported the idea of a new flag for New Zealand if it more adequately recognised our bicultural history. He felt that like black South Africans under the old Prinsevlag, Maoridom was under-represented in the present flag.

"It needs to be something that unites us, that provides hope and that says we are a proud nation."

A change of national symbol did not have to mean a split from a nation's colonial history, Mr Fortuin said.

"There will always be the historic connection with Great Britain, but it's time for us to demonstrate our independence."