Results of our NZ Flag Debate

The NZ Flag Debate

For over a decade there has been a debate in NZ on whether or not New Zealand should change their flag to represent who they are.

Room 3 decided to see whether there is a huge opinion for change or whether people are still proud of the flag we fly today.

We came up with this idea because some of the flags of the countries in the RWC 2011 have easily identifiable flags like Japan, Canada, USA, Argentina, Wales and South Africa.

Should NZ have a flag that represents who we are and is easily identified around the world?

Arguments for the silver fern

The NZ flag is too similar to the Australian flag.

It is easily identified as a symbol or emblem of New Zealand.

New Zealanders’ are very proud of it.

Arguments for the NZ flag

The national flag has represented NZ for over 150 years.

The national flag represents New Zealand's history of the country as a part of the British Empire and location in the southern hemisphere.

Generations of New Zealanders have fought and died under it.

http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags

http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/John%20Moody.pdf

http://www.flythefern.co.nz/

http://www.know-britain.com/general/union_jack.html

The results of our survey

We stopped the poll at 200 votes.

52% preferred the present NZ flag

48% preferred the silver fern flag.

What does this tell us?

We think New Zealand is not quite ready for a flag change.

After some discussion the children in Room 3 think we should just have two flags to represent New Zealand!

I like the New Zealand flag because...

I  like  the  blue flag because it has meaning it is part of New Zealand. There is also a Maori flag it is black and red and white. The countries that can see the Southern Cross are in the Southern Hemisphere. Two countries in the Southern Hemisphere are Australia and NZ.  By Aryaan


I chose the blue flag because I like stars and it has meaning. It has red inside the stars and it has white
around the stars. The stars represent the Southern Cross. By Tiffanny


I like the NZ flag because the blue colour is cool and I live in NZ. I like the blue flag because the blue means truth and loyalty and it is the ocean colour. by kairyn.


I like the blue flag because the white bit means peace and honesty and the stars represent the southern cross. The Union Jack means the British rule. There are four stars that are red. The red means hardiness bravery, strength, and valour. Blue represents the ocean. By Aum

I like the blue flag because there is four stars and it has a blue colour which means truth and loyality. The red colour means strength and bravery. The white colour means peace and honesty. The stars represent the Southern Cross. The countries in the southern hemisphere can see it. The Union Jack means we belong to the commonwealth. By Dykie


I like the New Zealand flag because I was born in NZ and the flag has meaning. It is what NZ means and blue means vigilance, that means paying attention, truth and loyalty, perseverance and justice. Did you know that only Southern Cross countries can see the stars. By Orlando


I like the blue flag. I like the NZ flag because it has the Union Jack on it. The Union Jack means we belong to the Commonwealth. The white means peace and honesty. Red is for bravery and strength. The NZ flag has four stars. By Kevin


I like the blue flag because it's got the Southern Cross on it. Blue stands for truth and loyalty and perseverance. That means don't stop, don't give up. By Mallika


I like the NZ flag because I like red stars. The blue flag is cool. I was born in NZ. The NZ flag has four stars on it. But I like the All Black flag too. By Alvin

I like the silver fern flag because...

I like the black flag because it is black and white. White means peace and honesty. The silver fern comes from the leaf of the New Zealand fern. By Zana

I like the silver fern flag because it has been done beautifully and I like how it has been curved. I like how it has All Blacks at the bottom of it. By Bradie

I like the black flag because I like the Silver Fern. The silver is on one side of the leaf green and other side is silver.The silver fern is worn on the All Black rugby jersey. I love the All Blacks. By Joshua

I like the black flag because I like the silver fern. The silver fern leaf has one green and one silver side. There are 190 different silver fern plants. The silver fern comes from the leaf of the New Zealand fern. Ponga is the Maori name. The All Blacks uniform and other sports uniforms have the silver fern on them. New Zealand is proud of the silver fern. By Sienna

I like the black flag because it has meaning. The silver fern symbol comes from the leaf of the NZ fern. The silver fern is a plant and one side of the leaf is green and the other side is silver. Ponga is the Maori name. There are a lot of different ferns. The silver fern is a national symbol that represents New Zealanders. By Jacey

I like the black flag because it has New Zealand printed on it. It has a silver fern on it. There are 109 types of ferns in NZ. The All Blacks wear the silver fern on their All Black jersey. That makes them proud. By Rohan

I like the black flag because it has a silver fern on it and it is different to Australia's flag. Their flag is like ours but it has 6 white stars on it. By Neeve