Flag debate: Olympic great says it's time for change

Sir Peter Snell supports a change to the flag. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Time for a change. That's the verdict of New Zealand's greatest athlete, Sir Peter Snell, on the country's flag.

Three-time Olympic champion Sir Peter, chosen as New Zealand's Athlete of the Century in 2000, favours something involving the silver fern to replace the current version.

"I would guess a lot of people do not know the difference between the New Zealand and Australian flags," Sir Peter said from his home in Dallas yesterday. "A silver fern on black would be terrific. I associate the silver fern with everything New Zealand."

Sir Peter won his Olympic golds over 800 and 1500 metres at Rome and Tokyo in 1960 and 1964. So attached is he to the silver fern that when he did pottery he used it as a logo on his work rather than initials.

"Maybe it's time to move on," he said. "The old Union Jack is passe and I'd like to see a flag which is more us rather than looking like Australia."

Olympic gold medal-winning boardsailor Barbara Kendall vividly remembers being handed an Australian flag at a victory ceremony overseas because the organisers didn't have a New Zealand one handy.

Fellow Olympic champion Sarah Ulmer can relate to that; she had the same experience at a World Cup cycling meet in Italy - "and once in Mexico they played God Save The Queen instead of God Defend New Zealand", she laughed.

But neither woman - considered among the greats of New Zealand sport - is in a hurry to change the flag. Then again, they aren't entirely averse to change.

"The short answer is I do identify more with a silver fern because that's more easily recognised in the environment as a sports person in which I've been brought up," Ulmer, world and Olympic 3000m individual pursuit champion, said yesterday.

"It doesn't give me an overwhelming urge to change the flag to a silver fern, but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if it was."

Kendall, who won gold at Barcelona 18 years ago, spoke of pride in the New Zealand flag, but "for me personally I find the silver fern more poignant as a sports person because that's what you receive when you represent New Zealand overseas".

She leans towards a change but if it stays the same, "I'm not going to have a stand-up tantrum about it", she quipped.

Four-time world champion sculler Mahe Drysdale remembers the tingles as he carried the flag at the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing two years ago - "absolutely awesome, something I'll never forget".

He sees the flag as being representative of New Zealand rather than dwelling on what is on it.

"I'm quite comfortable with what it is at the moment," he said. "In fact we've got almost a second unofficial flag, which is black with the silver fern.

"I know that means a lot and when we're racing overseas a lot of supporters have that. I definitely recognise both those flags as New Zealand."

Four-time Olympic canoeing champion Ian Ferguson favours change, but not yet.

"I still respect the fact that there are some people who fought for the war under that flag and died for that. There's memories there, and I'm not in a hurry to push for a change for that reason."

SPORTS STARS VIEWS ON A CHANGE TO THE FLAG:

CHANGE:

SIR PETER SNELL
Olympic track champ

The black flag with a silver fern would be terrific. New Zealand has grown up and I would like to see a change.

* * *

NO CHANGE:

FRED ALLEN
Former All Black player and coach

Leave the thing alone. It's stood for many, many years. I fought for it and I don't see why we should change it.

SIR JOHN WALKER
Olympic gold medallist (1500m)

It doesn't need to be changed because it represents people who have fought in the wars. It represents us.

MAHE DRYSDALE
World rowing champ

I'm quite comfortable with it. We almost have a second unofficial flag which is black with the silver fern. I recognise both as New Zealand.

ANDY ELLIS
All Black halfback

I quite like it as I grew up with it. I'm a traditionalist. When I watch the Olympics I like seeing the flag I know being raised.

* * *

UNDECIDED

BARBARA KENDALL
1992 Olympic boardsailing champ

I don't have a strong view, but sometimes I get annoyed because our flag is very similar to Australia's one.

HAMISH CARTER
2004 Olympic triathlon champion

I think as a nation we know who we are. It's not a major issue but it's great that people are talking about it.

IAN FERGUSON
Winner of 4 Olympic kayaking gold medals

I would definitely support a change but only in the future, not right now.

SARAH ULMER
2004 Olympic cycling champion

I don't have an overwhelming urge to change it to a silver fern but I wouldn't be disappointed if it was.

GRAHAM HENRY
All Black coach

I'm quite relaxed about flags. I think the people are important, not the flag. I think we've got a fine country and great people.

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