Mahe Drysdale: 'Once in a lifetime opportunity to change flag'

Champion rower Mahe Drysdale has come out in favour of a new flag. Photo / Getty Images.

Champion rower Mahe Drysdale has come out in favour of a new flag, saying while he was proud to have stood on the podium as the current flag was raised and carried it at two Olympic Games he did not believe it represented New Zealand.

Writing at sportsground.co.nz, Drysdale said he would proudly represent New Zealand under whatever flag New Zealanders opted for in the referendum, but believed it should change.

He had carried the current flag at two Olympic Games ceremonies and stood on the podium as it was raised at five World Championships and the Olympics.

"From that you might think the current flag is pretty special to me. Well it has been a big part of my celebrations over the years, but I don't race for the flag. I race for New Zealand and the people of New Zealand."

He was disappointed with the debate on the issue so far and the focus on the cost and turnout at public meetings rather than on the issue of identity. "At $26 million this seems like an expensive exercise. The thing is, though, whether you agree or not, it is happening. So let's make it worthwhile. It will be a waste of money if everyone says 'I don't care' and doesn't think about it."

His own preference was for a New Zealand symbol whether it was a fern, the Southern Cross or a kiwi. He said the red, white and blue colours were "UK colours" and he preferred black and white "our national colours."

"People say black and white is too much like Isis. I say rubbish. I think people can tell the difference between a flag with Arabic writing and a kiwi symbol plus we can't let a terror group control what colours we use."

He said he respected the RSA, which is campaigning to keep the current flag, and valued the sacrifices veterans made, sacrifices which meant New Zealanders now got to make decisions about what flag they wanted to represent them rather than flying another country's. "But I don't buy the argument that they fought for the flag. I believe they fought for the nation, the great people that live in New Zealand and because they believed in our nation."

He said this was a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to pick something to be proud of in the future. He would continue to proudly represent New Zealand under whichever flag was chosen in the referendum - new or old - "I just hope it will be one like the Canadian flag that has our national colours and some unique Kiwi symbol(s).