New Zealand to decide on new national flag New Zealanders are considering changing their national flag for the first time in over a century, with 40 alternative design options chosen as finalists from more than 10,000 public submissions ------------------------------------------------------------- CURRENT FLAG Adopted in 1902. Seen by many people as outdated and too similar to flag of Australia Union Jack: Harks back to colonial past that some New Zealanders are eager to put behind them Background colour: Derived from ensign of former Blue Squadron of Britain’s Royal Navy Southern Cross Distinctive constellation in Milky Way galaxy, visible from Southern Hemisphere ------------------------------------------------------------- NEW DESIGNS: Examples of common features from 40 finalists Koru: Spiral symbol often used in indigenous Maori art. Depicts unfurling fern frond and suggests circular nature of life Modern Hundertwasser by Tomas Cottle Silver fern: Represents unfurled koru. Has become national symbol, and is worn by many sports teams, including rugby’s All Blacks White & Black Fern by Alofi Kanter Other features: Include Southern Cross, sevenstars of Matariki – Maori name for Pleiades star cluster – or combination of two features Koru and Stars by Alan Tran ------------------------------------------------------------- TIMESCALE FOR SELECTION OF ALTERNATIVE FLAG: Sep 2015-May 2016 Sep 14: Flag ConsiderationPanel – government-appointed groupof 12 “respected New Zealanders” –chooses final four designs. Processincludes consultation with Maoricultural experts and flag designers Nov-Dec: New Zealanders vote for their favourite among final four designs in national referendum. Result declared Dec 15 April: Chosen flag goes head-to-head with current national flag in second referendum. Final resultdeclared April 26 May: Implementation of new flag, if alternative design wins. Government departments expected to begin flying new flag but other New Zealanders will be free to change over as and when they wish ------------------------------------------------------------- Sources: New Zealand government, wire agencies words 290