TORONTO – New Zealand Prime Minister John Key wants a new design for the country’s flag that is as distinctively New Zealand as the maple leaf is Canada.
“We want a design that says ‘New Zealand’ in the same way that the maple leaf says ‘Canada,’ or the Union Jack says ‘Britain,’ without a word being spoken, or a bar of those countries’ anthems being heard,” Key said.
The flag symbolizes “a colonial and post-colonial era whose time has passed,” he said in a speech in Wellington on Tuesday.
The country’s current flag depicts the Southern Cross star constellation and includes Britain’s Union Jack in the top left corner. Many complain it is too similar to Australia’s flag and doesn’t reflect New Zealand’s independence from former colonizer Britain.
The prime minster said the country and its people should be represented by a flag that is distinctively New Zealand.
Key said Canada’s 1965 decision to embrace a distinctive maple leaf design was a good example, and he couldn’t imagine Canadians now wanting to go back to their old Union Jack flag.
Key said he favours a silver fern set against a black background, an image that’s popular among sports teams.
New Zealanders are faced with a September election and the country’s opposition said it will follow through with a flag redesign even if it ousts the current prime minister.
Key said he will initiate the process if he wins a third term.
–with files from the Associated Press
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