Designer unfurls vision of NZ's new flag

Ron Davidson hopes his design for a new flag will be included in a referendum later this year. Photo / Supplied

A Tauranga-born designer is hoping his idea for a new flag will catch the eye of a committee set up to settle on a short list of possible emblems.

Ron Davidson began working on his design about a year ago and was tweaking it up until the end of last year when he settled on the final version.

"It's something I've had a passion for for a number of years," he said.

He had been part of a small group of people put together by the Government in the early '80s to consider other options for the flag but felt there was more public support this time.

"I felt it was important that the Maori component of it was a big part of it because that's something no other country has. Black and white was potentially a bit sombre.

"The south pacifica feel was the blue and teal to give it some freshness and lighten and brighten it," he said.

"It's really simple but there's lots of things in there. The koru, the wave, land and see and the long white cloud."

Mr Davidson had considered all the traditional elements but felt the Union Jack and Southern Cross were already used by Britain and Australia and the silver fern was heavily linked to sport.

There was nothing wrong with the current design but it was time for change, he said.

"It seems very timely. I look at it as us leaving home. You don't forget your parents when you leave home. You don't forget your history. This design portrays a fresh, unique, energetic alternative."

Despite his push for a new flag, Mr Davidson said there would always remain times when it would be appropriate for the current flag to be flown.

"Should the New Zealand flag change I can't imagine a day where the RSAs won't continue to fly the current design alongside a new one. I think we should be respectful of people that are so passionate, for very good reasons, about the flag and their war service."

Mr Davidson will submit his design to the Government-appointed Flag Consideration Panel when it calls for proposals later this year. They will then select a shortlist which the country will choose from in the first referendum late this year. A second referendum will be held next year where people will be asked to choose between the current flag and the most popular of the new designs.

"I hope it's my design and if it's not my design I hope it's something better."