New Zealand flag mistake ?

[Telstra]

I repeat: Only to you. I'm sure, in some cultures, black represents 'good luck' and red represents 'life'.

What does your ass avatar represent?

It doesn't represent anything.
I thought it was interesting world map ...

"black" represents good luck? name 1 or 2 or 3 cultures ...

 

[gsdx]

That's the same with NZ. The silver fern has been our national symbol since our soldiers wore it during the Boer War. And that's why I would like to see it on our flag.

Indeed. And if you have national colours, they should be incorporated as well.

 

[Telstra]

It doesn't represent anything.
I thought it was interesting world map ...

"black" represents good luck? name 1 or 2 or 3 cultures ...

Saudi Arabia is in my mind when it comes to black covering lol

 

[Kahaih]

Black & white flags should be reserved exclusively for pirates.

And, yes, that black & white swirl-y-ma-bob at the bottom right looks like it was designed by butt pirates.

 

[JohnnyAnger]

And, yes, that black & white swirl-y-ma-bob at the bottom right looks like it was designed by butt pirates.

Classy! That swirl-y-ma-bob is the koru, and is pretty much the central symbol of Maori culture.

 

[Zeno Lorea]

Some history :

Polls were taken a few years back that showed voters were keen to look at a new flag. Before the last election, the National party had it as part of their election promises. If they get in, there will be a referendum. So it went through a democratic process. If we voted National in, there would be a referendum (it was also Labour's policy, by the way). National gets in. They set up a referendum, and now people are bleating about it.

In my view 27 million is money well spent. Firstly, it will give us more of a unique identity, separate from Australia. There are many times when Kiwis are overseas, other countries will fly the Aussie flag by mistake. Secondly, it will distinguish us from a British colony. What is the advantage of people seeing us as some sort of British colony? The Brits give us no favours these days. It's time for NZ to stand alone and be proud as an individual country. Thirdly, by being more identifiable, with a unique flag, it will give us better marketing opportunities and recoup the 27 million many times over.

And lastly, it's just weird to have another country's flag in the corner of our one.

Mixing up the flags of Australia and NZ (or Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela; the Netherlands and Luxemburg; Italy and Mexico; or even Belgium and Germany, like happened here in posts 24 and 50!) is indeed regrettable. But do you really think the world will give more damns about NZ with another flag? They don't know your flag (nor Australia's) today. They won't know the new one either.

Moreover, I keep hearing you say that the world sees NZ is "some sort of British colony". Maybe that's what you guys down in NZ believe, but others don't. Ask 100 Europeans from the continent what NZ was a colony of, and most will have no idea. "Was it ever a colony?" "Well, the name is New Zealand, so that's Denmark then? But Denmark didn't have colonies there. Oh wait, I know, it's Holland! New Zealand must be New Zeeland!" Even those who say "the UK", will add, "but that was long time ago".

Not so long ago I attended a quiz where people were asked to put NZ, Canada, the USA and India in chronological order of independence from the UK. Some candidates put NZ last, but most put it before the USA. Figure that.

Regular quiz players will know NZ for being the first nation to give women the right to vote. Anyone else knows it for koala bears and bungee jumping. That's it. That's your whole identity. Not the British colony trauma.

 

[kallipolis]

The legal position of the former British dominions, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Eire in their relationship, with the United Kingdom:

The 1926 Imperial Conference devised the Balfour formula of dominion status, stating that:

The United Kingdom and the Dominions are autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth— Balfour Declaration of 1926

The Balfour Report further resolved that each respective Governor-General occupied “the same position in relation to the administration of public affairs in the Dominion” as was held by the Monarch in the United Kingdom. The only advisers to the Governor-General and the Monarch in New Zealand were his New Zealand Ministers.

and

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Westminster_1931

I quote:

The Statute of Westminster, 1931 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and separate versions of it are now domestic law within Australia and Canada; it has been repealed in New Zealand and implicitly by subsequent laws in former Commonwealth realms. Passed on 11 December 1931, the act, either immediately or upon ratification, effectively both established the legislative independence of the self-governing Dominions of the British Empire from the United Kingdom and bound them all to seek each other's approval for changes to monarchical titles and the common line of succession. It thus became a statutory embodiment of the principles of equality and common allegiance to the Crown set out in the Balfour Declaration of 1926. It thus had the effect of making the Dominions sovereign nations.

It is noteworthy that on the abdication of Edward V111 the British Government was obliged to seek the approval of the then dominion governments to enable George V1 to become King. On matters of imperial defence all the dominions, and the UK had an equal voice when debating mutual assistance during times of war. It is no secret that the UK, NZ, Aus., Canada, and the USA continue to work closely on matters of common defence.

Further, following the decision of the newly elected (1945 general election) Labour government to dismantle the empire, consultation was set in motion with dominion governments on the issue of British nationality as it pertained to British subjects living outside the United Kingdom, and her dependent territories. United Kingdom legislation that changed British nationality law, was reciprocated in former British dominions.

Transparently the majority of the European population in New Zealand are descended from settlers who had emigrated from England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland making it easy to understand why many Kiwis treasure their historical relationship with the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Here's an article detailing in some depth the matter of New Zealand's nationality legislation:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_nationality_law

 

[justaguy]

But do you really think the world will give more damns about NZ with another flag? They don't know your flag (nor Australia's) today. They won't know the new one either.

That's right. But at least when they see the new flag they won't think we're part of Britain, or somehow subservient to them.

Moreover, I keep hearing you say that the world sees NZ is "some sort of British colony".

Not really. It's just that the flag might give that impression to some. The current flag has the Union Jack as the most dominant feature. The union jack signifies the union of Scotland, Wales and England. What relevance does this have to NZ in this day and age?

Regular quiz players will know NZ for being the first nation to give women the right to vote. Anyone else knows it for koala bears and bungee jumping. That's it. That's your whole identity. Not the British colony trauma.

Oh dear. This kind of illustrates my point about NZ constantly being mixed up with Australia. The koala is an Australian animal not New Zealand. Lol.

 

[justaguy]

And, yes, that black & white swirl-y-ma-bob at the bottom right looks like it was designed by butt pirates.

It came last in the referendum to decide the one to go against the current flag. It was commonly called the monkey butt flag. Lol.