New Zeeland's Flag Referendum

[Rhyfelwyr]

If those are the alternatives I would stick with the current flag. They need to find a way to combine their two sets of national colours (black/white and red/white/blue) in a way that works aesthetically.

Black and white by itself is pretty dull and has bad connotations (IS etc). Black and blue is a depressing combination. Red, white and blue without the classic NZ black and white doesn't seem worth the change.

[Gilrandir]

If those are the alternatives I would stick with the current flag. They need to find a way to combine their two sets of national colours (black/white and red/white/blue) in a way that works aesthetically.

The latter are British national colors. So basically it is a choice between the old imperial and the one that has developed locally heraldic traditions.

[Rhyfelwyr]

The latter are British national colors. So basically it is a choice between the old imperial and the one that has developed locally heraldic traditions.

Red, white and blue are national colours of New Zealand as well, they have represented it for centuries. Britain is a real part of New Zealand's heritage.

[Gilrandir]

Red, white and blue are national colours of New Zealand as well, they have represented it for centuries. Britain is a real part of New Zealand's heritage.

But it doesn't mean New Zealand isn't free to choose a new flag instead of the inherited. And since The Lord of the Rings was shot there anyway, I suggest they adopt the one that will reconcile all:

Well, at least the colors will.

[Beskar]

Talking with my friend from New Zeeland, the story from over there seems to be that this is a move by the current Prime Minister to add something to his legacy, rather than a move by the New Zeelanders themselves.

Whilst there is a general feeling within the population about having a new flag, the motivations behind the referendum is simply the Prime Ministers personal glory and the process is viewed as a sham, especially as it was all decided by appointed bureaucrats with no experience design decisions or reflecting the views of the population, this re-enforcing the general feeling that the New Zeelanders themselves were locked out of the process.

Their opinion on the current flag choices were "They were created using clip-art".

[Crandar]

Looks like the islands of Fiji plan to do something similar:
http://portlandflag.org/2015/06/09/2...new-fiji-flag/

Not a huge fan of any of their suggested flags, only the tortoise one seems acceptable.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Well the current flag is a Royal Navy Ensign with four stars stitched on to represent the Southern Cross, the stars sailors steer by in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a very colonial symbol and I can see why they'd want to change it.

The problem with having the public submit designs is that you then have individual designs to pick from, rather than the traditional committee-designed flag that combines several elements.

Looking at the long list you can see that the current colours are popular, as are the ferns, swirls and Southern Cross.

So how about this - the current blue field with the stars of the Southern Cross stylised symmetrically in the centre with four ferns, two above and two below curving inwards forming a diamond, in each corner a curled fern turned clockwise (it's important the flag cannot be mounted upside down by mistake).

That combines all of the most common features and, unlike the flags above, it can be easily reproduced at home or in school, using a single sheet as a base and painting/embroidering it.