Wairarapa debates flag designs

The four flag designs chosen by the Flag Consideration panel. FILE PHOTO

The final four designs for a new flag were revealed by the Flag Consideration Panel in Wellington on Tuesday, sparking great debate both online and on the streets of New Zealand.

Times-Age surveyed 50 people on Queen Street in Masterton yesterday and found that a majority (66 per cent) of people liked Kyle Lockwood's designs best, which featured both the silver fern and southern cross.

Of the survey's participants, 17 people liked Lockwood's red design, 16 liked Lockwood's black design, one liked the Koru, and three liked the black and white silver fern.

Thirteen survey participants wanted their vote to be recorded in support of the current flag design with the Union Jack.

Pam Sutherland, whose brother visited Greece for a few months last year said that only one person over there correctly recognised the current New Zealand flag.

"Everyone thought it was Australian," she said.

Mrs Sutherland said she liked Lockwood's Silver Fern flag on red, white, and blue, but that the whole process had cost too much money.

"We would have been quite okay with our existing flag," she said.

"But if they're going to change it, I would go for that one."

All participants agreed that New Zealand's flag should in some way incorporate the southern cross which is why Lockwood's designs proved to be most popular.

Teacher at Masterton Primary School Debbie Carman commented on the Times-Age Facebook page and wrote that she surveyed her class of six year olds who also preferred Lockwood's red design.

"I surveyed my class of six year olds who will have to live with our decision longer than we will," she wrote.

"14 out of the 19 preferred the red and blue Lockwood in the top left, and when they put it up against the current flag it was 10 to 8 to change to the Lockwood design.

"One abstained because he couldn't decide!"

Although the street survey showed that 74 per cent of participants were in favour of a change, most Facebook users' comments leaned towards sticking with the current flag, with many people bringing up the referendum's hefty price tag or lamenting the "boring" flag choices.

One commentor compared the flag change to the recent Milo recipe change.

"Just like milo, why change a good thing!" Jo Topia wrote.

Another Facebook User Andrew Carman wrote "Keep it the same! The new ones look like beach towels!"

Hayley Brandon wrote"They are so boring and lack individuality. I think there were better flags but I also think there are more important things to spend our taxes on!"

In November the public will have the chance to put their vote where their mouth is in the first referendum by ranking the four designs in order of preference. The preferred alternative will go up against the current flag in a second referendum in March.

The two referendum votes and consultation are budgeted to cost $26 million.

FACT BOX

A New Zealand Herald online survey results which had just under 20,000 participants as at 4pm yesterday.

Silver Fern (Black & White) by Alofi Kanter : 6 per cent

Koru by Andrew Fyfe : 4 per cent

Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood : 20 per cent

Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood : 30 per cent

The current flag : 32 per cent

None of the above : 8 per cent