Brian Lochore explains
Hi, I’m Sir Brian Lochore, and I have the privilege of being on the Flag Consideration Panel.
A few New Zealanders seem to be confused about the process.
First, New Zealanders all get an opportunity to say what they stand for. That is, what values or special things about New Zealand they want represented on their flag.
And, everyone gets a chance to be inspired by these values and put flag designs forward.
There are thousands of designs, so the Panel will look at the things you stand for, and based on that, choose the four designs they think best represent us.
These designs are ranked by you in this year’s referendum. The one ranked the highest becomes the preferred alternative design.
In the second referendum, you vote again to choose between the preferred alternative and the current flag.
Both referendums are binding. That means the flag with the most votes will remain or become the official flag of New Zealand. That’s how the process works, and the result of it all depends on you.
It’s your flag, and your chance to decide.
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john073 - 9 years ago
Polls on the flag
Much of the debate over whether there should be a new New Zealand flag is generated by polls conducted by the media. These have consistently suggested that the majority of New Zealanders oppose any change. The results of some of the polls taken:
1973 – 75% No to change
1984 – 86% No to change
1999 – 64% Opposed to change
2008 – 62% Leave it alone
2011 – 72% No to change