New Zealanders welcome fifth option to flag referendum

Syafique Shuib
September 23, 2015 06:59 MYT
Despite the referendum in March 2016, an opinion poll showed 69 percent of people still want to keep the current flag. Photo: Twitter/CalebCarnie
A social media campaign in New Zealand has pressured the government to add an extra flag design to the current four options that could potentially be the country’s new flag in a referendum set for next year.
According to AFP, 50,000 people signed a petition calling for the so-called “Red Peak” design to be included in the the ballot.
This comes after a lack lustre public response to the four option presented by the government .
The news report added that the Red Peak consists of red, black and blue triangles with a white chevron.
Three of the other designs include a silver fern leaf, the informal national emblem which Prime Minister John Key has said he wants on the flag.
The final one depicts a spiralling black-and-white koru, or fern frond, a traditional Maori symbol of new life and creation.
Following Wednesday’s decision to add the fifth option, local netizens responded positively.

Around 22.5k people have 'liked' the #RedPeak FB page. And only around 6.7k the #StandForNZ. One campaign was evidently stronger.

— Carrie (@Ellipsister) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

#RedPeak Never underestimate the power of a group of passionate people to change the world. pic.twitter.com/ST04KfiA6s

— Sven Baker (@Ngatarua) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

RED PEAK IS TAKING OVER. Very happy that we have the option to choose the #redpeak design now pic.twitter.com/qB22Bay9j6

— Kevin McCutcheon (@KevCodes) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

... And that shows the strength of social pressure. Red Peak has made the "now" final 5. #nzflag #redpeak pic.twitter.com/MUBaGxPLfG

— Rebecca Larsen (@bex_supirium) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

It would be interesting to get a Maori iwi opinion on #RedPeak since they have been excluded from Key's colouring in contest panel

— Daman (@dmc_21) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

Nice to see how many mps care enough to hang about til 8pm to put through the #RedPeak bill. #ghosttown

— Kat (@katjnz) September 23, 2015
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
According to AFP, Kiwis will pick their favourite among the five options in a referendum to be held between November 20 and December 11.
The winning design will then go head-to-head against the existing flag in a second vote in March.
An opinion poll this week showed 69 percent of people want to keep the current flag.
#flag #New Zeanland #Referendum
;