Arcadia New Zealand

Out with the Old, In with the New?

In March this year New Zealanders have to decide whether to keep the old flag – the Union Jack with the Southern Cross constellation, or vote for a new flag – a silver fern with the Southern Cross. NZ has long wanted a new flag – to shake off its colonial past (the Union Jack is the flag of Great Britain)

A “Flag Consideration Panel” received 10,292 flag designs and whittled that down to 5. In 2015 a referendum was held to decide which of the 5 would go up against the old flag, and a slim majority won for the silver fern on a black background.

There are very mixed feelings amongst kiwis. Some are describing it as a “cartoon fern flag” and it makes the country look like a “start up company”. A referendum in March this year will decide if we keep the old flag or get the new one. It appears that many NZers are going to protest vote to keep the old flag as they are appalled at the chosen design. If you could vote which one would you choose?