Brian Holden: Changing the NZ flag is just blowing in the wind

Contemplating a new flag design is worth some consideration.

Choices, choices, choices. Right now as I ponder over the final "long list" of designs for our nation's flag, I see that none of the 40 options includes the traditional Union Jack.

Reluctantly I am beginning to accept that change is in the wind.

Could it be that the Union Jack, that we fought so hard to defend, is ready to be lowered to half-mast, folded and shelved to make way for a new design that we can recognise as being 100 per cent New Zealand? Going it alone, you could say.

Four favourites will be chosen by a government-elected panel next month.

The public whittled down a staggering 10,292 options to pick their favourite 40, with our Prime Minister throwing his support behind the campaign.

Clearly, a lot of work has gone into all this - but why it has cost a whopping $26 million beats me.

And as one columnist writes, "Is there a worse act of collective torture than a nation changing its flag?

It takes forever, you have to consult everyone under the sun, and nobody can agree on anything anyway".

Maybe so, but for what it's worth, I'm opting for the design by Kyle Lockwood.

It's the PM's choice too!

The flag displays our silver fern (in white) on a blue background and the four stars of the Southern Cross as they appear on the original flag.

With red on the top left, it finishes off the design nicely, keeping to the traditional red white and blue that most of us relate to.

Okay, so we're never all going to agree - not in 1000 years, and who knows, come decision time, the whole idea may end up going into the too hard basket. We may have to settle for a selection of flags that we can fly for a specific occasion.

One for every day of the week, each nationality - or as the mood takes us.

Go here to the Government Flag Consideration Project website and find out all about the proposed changes to our flag. It really is worth taking a look:

https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/.

Okay, so we all get them. Emails with irresistible offers from lands far away.

Here's the latest one to reach my inbox, word for word - it's a cracker:

Nice day, dear Mr. Sir,

Hope this email find you well-:)

This is holly, manufacturer of forging flange for 28 years.

After saw your website, I thought you might be interested in our steel and stainless steel forged flange, according to ANSI, JIS, DIN, BS, UNI, SABS standard etc.

would you like to get some samples for testing , my friend?

We still have many other models, i can send you our more information if it's okay for you, dear friend -:)

I'm here waiting for your reply-:)

Best Rgds, Holly/ Export Dept.

Shandong Fuliton Holdings Co., Ltd

Curious that on neither of my two websites do I give the slightest indication that I would have a use for stainless steel forged flanges in my line of work.

In fact if such a flange was to stare me in the face, I would not recognise it as such.

A Google search reveals that the company is legit and is a sizeable one with 260 skilled employees.

Five stars for politeness - but none for failing to make clear what the company is actually trying to sell.

*

And Another Thing will appear in next week's Rotorua Daily Post for the final time. Readers' feedback over this time has generally been encouraging, both with published letters and those who I meet out and about.

Join me next week for my final column.

-Brian Holden has lived in Rotorua for most of his life and has been writing his weekly column for 11 years.