New flag for New Zealand?

NEW ZEALANDERS could soon be voting on whether or not to remove the Union banner from its flag as the country’s re-elected PM looks to cut ties with the country’s colonial past. John Keys says that he will be pushing for a referendum on the issue next year and will be searching for a recognisable alternative to the country’s current flag. 

Adopted at the beginning of the 20^th century, New Zealand’s flag features the Union flag and four stars representing the Southern Cross constellation. But recently re-elected Keys is calling for a removal of the Union imagery from the flag in a bid to assert the country’s independence from its former British rulers.

“I’m obviously a big supporter of the change,” he told Radio Live network. “I think there are a lot of strong arguments in favour of the change.” Keys faces opposition to the proposal, however, with a poll in March showing that 52 per cent of Kiwis think there is no need to change the flag. A group representing returned soldiers has also voiced its opposition to a flag change, highlighting that it would be disrespectful to those who had fought and died in defence of New Zealand.

Keys is keen to adopt the white fern on a black background as part of a new flag – an image made famous by the country’s All Blacks rugby team.