New Zealand PM wants vote on changing flag
New Zealand’s re-elected prime minister John Key celebrates a landslide general election victory with his wife Bronagh (R) and son Max (L) in Auckland. Photograph: Nigel Marple/Reuters.
New Zealand may vote next year on changing its flag, newly re-elected prime minister John Key said today, as the country looks to assert an identity independent of colonial ties to Britain.
Mr Key’s centre-right government was returned for a third three year term on Saturday in a resounding win, promising to continue steady economic management and controls on spending, and possible tax cuts in three years.
Asked about his promise of a referendum on a change of flag, Mr Key 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.
“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.
Mr Key has previously said he wants a flag uniquely New Zealand in character that would be recognisable around the world.
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.
New Zealand PM wants vote on changing flag