We need a flag that symbolises NZ

LIKE every patriotic Kiwi, I watch the All Blacks. Even if I don't get up on the dot I record it or watch the highlights and catch up on all the action.

There is nothing more satisfying to a true Kiwi than vanquishing the Aussie rugby team.

Watching the Rugby World Cup recently, however, provided me with worry. There were far more All Blacks signs and black flags with silver ferns being waved about the exuberant "international" crowd than our own national flag. With the flag debate about to enter its final stage before voting I believe it's important that whatever symbol we choose must represent New Zealand and everyone must accept the final decision. I want a symbol that we proudly wave at All Blacks games AND that can be honourably displayed at the United Nations. To test if this use of "All Blacks Flags" was a common occurrence I brought up Google, as you do nowadays, and searched "All Blacks Rugby Crowds". To my relief there were New Zealand flags, however they were swarmed with silver fern flags, and black flags and signs with "Go All Blacks" or "Try". There is no reason why this should be so. A big New Zealand flag is far more patriotic and supportive than anything else we can display.

The flag process angers me slightly, mainly because as a 17-year-old I cannot vote in the referendum. The Government does let me shoot guns, have sex and drive, however. The Scottish let citizens aged 16 vote in their independence referendum, so why can't we let the future generations vote on a subject of national identity?

This design process has been completed already, and I am deemed inadequate to contribute further by participating in the upcoming referendum so you might wonder why I care. Well, money is the main factor for my concern. There is around $25.7 million going to this process. This money has been spent, non-refundable, used, and people complain. I tell people that because the money has now been spent, it should incentivise you to make a more careful decision, but people are now using their anger with John Key, the process or the money spent as reasons to vote for the old flag. If $25.7 million is what it takes to make this decision, then I can accept that, especially with the Government's surplus and the amount of resources allocated towards important areas. I mean would you rather not get a flag change? People say, "why don't you spend this money on starving children?" Well, the Government is doing that also and $25.7 million is actually quite small in the big picture of government spending.

Of the five flags available, only two follow my train of thought. The red peak has become a symbol against the system also, and although it is easy to draw, it does not provide a defined symbol for New Zealand. There is a koru flag and a silver fern flag which are both black and white. Both are unconventional and have no appeal because they are bland and lack colour. They do not represent our vast culture and bring into consideration our past. The remaining two are very similar to each other but follow my idea of a symbol to represent future generations. They are both two-thirds of the old flag. They cut out the Union Jack, true, but that is part of our constitution and is not expressly reflected in our culture like the silver fern is. Speaking on behalf of youth, New Zealand was presented with multiple opportunities to create a flag as a symbol of our country. We are now left with six choices of flag (including our current one) and I implore you to not let all the noise in the background caused by the Government and the people affect or anger you. I hope that you (because I can't vote) can make an informed and patriotic decision as the people and pick the option that best represents our culture and country. If you don't do this, then you leave me no choice but to change your decision in another 20 years and spend more money.

-Timothy Rowe is a Youth MP and head prefect of Wanganui High School.