The ongoing republicanism debate presented some examples of ‘how to’ and ‘how not to’ engage on issues.
The Republican Movement made news with their poll on potential candidates for a head of state for a New Zealand republic. It’s a bit of fun and I’m interested to see what other people think. They’ve gained decent publicity from this exercise and it will get people thinking and talking.
The ‘how not to’ was provided by the Republic of NZ Party. This week’s unsurprisingly ignored press release insults New Zealanders in general and shows some shallow thinking on constitutional reform.
11 responses so far ↓
eT // 2 August, 2008 at 9:38 pm |
The main thing that would irritate me if republicans got their way is that the stupid black flag would be more likely to be adopted on the coat-tails of a switch to a locally-elected head of state. My rant: it’s not a flag, it’s a logo – and a logo vigorously promoted by the rugby union, too. It would be a backward step to adopt that symbol as the flag of a sovereign state, as it would only confirm the suspicions of many foreigners: that rugby is the only thing that matters in NZ.
Lewis Holden // 3 August, 2008 at 2:49 am |
I’d like to point out that that particular flag is supported by the Republic of NZ Party, not the Republican Movement. Our policy is that the move to a republic will not lead to a change in flag.
Richard // 3 August, 2008 at 2:41 pm |
eT: As much as I do cringe a bit about using what’s come from a sports team as the national logo, I think it’d be a great flag.
It might be a logo but then that’s what a flag is – the best flags IMHO are the more logo like – Canada, Japan, USSR etc. The Union Jack’s just a merger of three logos really.
LH: I think I’ve found a constitutional issue where I side with RoNZP rather that the Republican Movement
eT // 4 August, 2008 at 11:07 am |
Damn all this fairness and reasonableness
Stylistically I prefer the Hundertwasser green & white koru flag to the black & silver fern one. Although in heraldic terms neither are suitable: that shade of green is typically used in the flags of Muslim countries, and black flags signify an outbreak of plague. Plus you can’t see black flags at night-time, so you’d only have a national flag during daylight if you had the fern one. But mainly it’s the rugger angle that puts me off.
There’s some v stylish ones mooted across the Tasman at http://www.ausflag.com.au/designs.html.
Richard // 4 August, 2008 at 11:38 pm |
But you can’t see other flags at night, it’s dark!
Lewis // 6 August, 2008 at 9:39 am |
Richard – well they need the support, that’s for sure!
Wayne Hawkins // 14 August, 2008 at 9:15 pm |
What a joke Mr Holden!The Union Jack on our current flag is a throw back to our colonial past. Surely the whole idea of becoming a republic is for us to make a new start and develop our own identity as a multi cultural nation in the South Pacific. Sorry Mr Holden, but retaining our current flag as a reminder of our colonial subservience doesn’t do it for me.
The Republic of New Zealand Party has suggested the black flag with the silver fern to start debate on the question of our national flag. It’s far more than a logo. New Zealanders are increasingly using this flag to express national identity.
This is our suggestion but we would never seek to impose it. The best way to resolve the issue would be to have a design competition and then let the people express their preference.
Richard // 15 August, 2008 at 12:06 am |
Hi Wayne
When is RoNZP publicly releasing a comprehensive policy on the process for moving to a republic? I’m curious as to why there’s not one out yet.
Lewis // 17 August, 2008 at 10:13 pm |
I’d like to see your policy too Wayne.
I’m not opposed to changing New Zealand’s flag, in fact I took part in the NZflag.com campaign in 2005 to have it changed. But that’s not the point. If you combine becoming a republic with changing the flag, you muddy the waters. You also increase the fear of change within the minds of New Zealanders who would otherwise support a republic. Hence the reason for our policy that the move to a republic will not lead to a change in flag.
Putting forward the silver fern flag is simply counterproductive. Anyone who doesn’t like that particular flag (and I admit to being such a person) would then find themselves opposed to a republic of that nature. Remember, the Australians voted down a republic on the basis of fear mongering from the monarchists in 1999 – you can’t honestly believe adding the flag into the mix is going to make things any easier for republicans.
Hans Laven // 18 August, 2008 at 2:05 pm |
Yes, a flag should be chosen by the majority of the people from a range of options. Same for the anthem.
Keep in mind though that the silver fern currently favoured by the Republic of NZ Party is not the same as the All Black logo. The fern is a particularly salient feature of our native flora, and can be represented in many different ways.
Lewis // 19 August, 2008 at 7:32 am |
Hans, does the RoNZP actually have a republic policy? Or is the party simply a cover for Men’s rights activists?