What do Rotorua people stand for?

A New Zealand flag flutters in the breeze, Havelock North. High winds expected in Hawke's Bay this weekend. 21 November 2014. News. Hawke's Bay Today photograph by Warren Buckland

Rotorua people can have their say on the future of the New Zealand flag when the Flag Consideration Panel comes to the city.

Two members of the panel will participate in a hui today at Papaiouru Marae, Ohinemutu, from 1pm to 5pm.

Panel chairman John Burrows will be joined by flag historian Malcolm Mulholland.

He will run an open discussion about the history of the New Zealand flag and the process.

Mr Mulholland said four flag designs would be chosen from the nationwide hui and would go on to the referendum.

The design that gets the most support from the first referendum will go forward to a second referendum early next year.

Voters would then have a simple choice between the new design and the existing flag.

"We do the workshop and the hui to inform people as to what the process is and we are really keen to hear people's views on the process," Mr Mulholland said.

He said the Southland hui had a strong turnout.

"People are quite intrigued by the history because people feel like they need to know the background of the flag to make an informed decision.

"It has a particular history for Maori that our people need to be aware of as well, as our flag did come about from the New Zealand war period.

"Our role is to come up with the four alternatives that people will vote on. This is about the public having the decision and everyone gets a vote."

On Tuesday, there will also be an information stand in the City Focus - which will move into the library if it rains - from 10am to 3pm, as well as a public workshop from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Millennium Hotel.

-Find out more at www.flag.govt.nz or www.standfor.co.nz.