Flag

As you might have seen, the New Zealand flag referendum was finally decided on March 24.  And if you didn't see, don't worry, a quick Google search revealed that *no* news agency carried this story.  None.  Not even in New Zealand.

The result, as expected, is that New Zealand is keeping its flag, and just flushed $26 million down the toilet to do so.  Considering how bland and white-washed the 'competition' was, it wasn't surprising.  As one person noted, this was less about identity and more about marketing.

In the past 50 years, only two countries have changed their flag without changing their government: Canada in 1965 and South Africa in 1994.  South Africa was obviously signalling the end of apartheid and the 'rainbow flag' signified inclusion of all people.  Canada was obviously cementing their role as the world's leading supplier of maple syrup.

To look at the alternative NZ flag, it had something to do with a silver fern, but with a blue patch to differentiate the country from the All Blacks rugby team, which is funny since the rugby team is probably better known than the country.  Oh, and it got rid of the union jack to appease the folks who think we should have an elected head of state, even though we're still keeping Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

So all in all, it was quite the farce.  However, in thinking about the flag in terms of identity and New Zealand's place in the world, the kids had the best idea for a new flag: