Yachties get to fly new ensign

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

New Zealand has a new national flag, but republicans should not get their hopes up - it is a blue ensign for use by members of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

The Queen will officially sign off the new flag in about a month, but it has already been approved for use by Kiwi yachties all over the world.

Hamish Ross, a maritime law specialist at law firm Bell Gully, discovered a need for the new flag in 1997.

A change in the law in 1992 (the Ships Registration Act) meant vessels had to use either the New Zealand flag or the Marine Flag of New Zealand - known as the New Zealand Red Ensign.

Mr Ross said the act overlooked the British Blue Ensign, a flag historically used by New Zealand yacht clubs with royal in their name, leaving Kiwi yachties without a blue ensign.

New Zealand had a strong maritime and yachting tradition and was recognised as a leader in boat design and technology, so "I felt it was important to reclaim the tradition before it was lost forever."

Mr Ross received an official warrant from the British Admiralty to use the British Blue Ensign on his yacht five years ago, but after discovering this was technically illegal, decided to try to revive the tradition in New Zealand.

This included securing amendment to legislation, obtaining ministerial approvals, and discussions and negotiations with the Queen's Herald of Arms.

He also consulted the Navy and Returned Services Association, but said deciding on a design was the most difficult part of the project.

"The symbols of New Zealand that everyone over the world recognises are the kiwi and the silver fern, but we wanted to keep it traditional," he said.

"At least it doesn't look like an Aussie flag."