New Zealand could vote on changing its flag and ditch the Union Jack next year. Newly re-elected Prime Minister John Key said there were 'strong arguments for change' as the country looks to assert its own identity and lose colonial ties to Britain. The current flag was adopted at the start of the 20th century and features the British Union Jack in the top-left corner with the four red stars of the Southern Cross on a blue background.
But aside from the UK element it is often confused with the similar-looking Australian flag. The proposed new flag with a silver fern on a black background. New Zealand sports teams, notably the world champion All Blacks rugby team, often compete under a silver fern motif, and the national carrier Air New Zealand has put it on its aircraft tails.
Key's centre-right government was returned for a third three year term on Saturday in a resounding win. The PM said he wanted it to be the subject of a referendum next year, including finding an alternative and then putting that up against the current flag. Key has previously said he wants a flag uniquely New Zealand in character that would be recognisable around the world. "I'm obviously a big supporter of the change, I think there are a lot of strong arguments in favour of the change," he said on the Radio Live network.
The PM also accepted there would be strong arguments to retain the current flag though. A group representing returned soldiers has been a vocal opponent of change, saying the move would disrespect those who had fought and died defending it. A survey in March showed 52 percent of respondents did not see any need to change the flag..
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