Pupils cast flag vote in mock referendum (+video)

St Mary's pupils (from left) Poppy Martin, 10, Charis Beehre, 10 and Aimee Larkin, 11. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Pupils at a Rotorua primary school have learned how to exercise their democratic right by holding their own flag referendum.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School Year 6 pupil Aimee Larkin, 11, along with Year 5 pupils Poppy Martin, 10, and Charis Beehre, 10, organised the mock referendum, getting the whole school involved.

"It started as a class project but the girls ran with the idea and decided the whole school should take part so I just gave them full control," teacher Bevan James said.

"The project gave the girls extra leadership opportunities as well as giving all the pupils a chance to understand how a democratic society works."

He said pupils expressed a real interest in the referendum and were keen to have their say on what the next New Zealand flag should be.

"I think there have been a lot of discussions around the dinner table about the flag change so when pupils heard we would be holding our own referendum, they were really excited."

Aimee said she enjoyed helping people understand how a referendum worked.

"Before we started this project we didn't really know anything about the flag referendum and now we know how the voting works, the names of all the flag options and who designed them."

Charis said having full control of the project made her feel independent.

"I liked doing everything ourselves, from the planning to the actual voting day and counting the votes."

Poppy said she had formed a lot of opinions about the flag referendum and enjoyed holding one for her peers.

"I think they should have asked if we even want to change the flag before holding a referendum about what options we like but it's good people can have a say.

"Obviously we are too young to vote but it was fun having this pretend referendum so we still know what people our age want as our flag."

Poppy said Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood was the overall favoured option, closely followed by Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue).