Flag flyers say they don't want change

Graham Wakelin flies his large NZ Flag daily at his Onerahi home. Photo / Michael Cunningham

An Onerahi couple who fly the New Zealand flag in front of their home are angry the Government is even considering changing the nation's flag, saying it is a waste of money that would be better spent elsewhere.

Every morning, Graham and Carol Wakelin hoist a large New Zealand flag up the flagpole of their Onerahi home and make it clear they do not support Prime Minister John Key running referenda on a new flag at an expected cost of $26 million.

Mr Wakelin, ex-Royal NZ Navy, said he wondered why the Prime Minister was pushing for a new flag when there was no call from the public for a change.

The Flag Consideration Project roadshow is in Northland from today until Sunday and the Wakelins said they would make a submission opposing the planned flag change and while Mr Wakelin said he would probably fly the flag if it was changed, Mrs Wakelin was adamant she wouldn't have a bar of it.

"I'm really wondering why he's so keen to change the flag when there's been no call from the public to do so?

"Does Mr Key want this to be his legacy, the man who changed the flag and led us into being a republic?" Mr Wakelin asked.

"I think it's wrong. I'm a proud Kiwi who loves the flag and is proud to fly it every day and I think getting rid of it will do a great disservice to all those who served under this flag."

The Wakelins have been flying the NZ flag above every home and business they have owned since about 1998 with Mrs Wakelin in charge of buying replacements when they have reached the end of their life up the pole.

"But I won't be buying any new flag. If (Mr Wakelin) does I'll get my own flagpole so I can fly this one," she said.

She said the flag was more than just a piece of cloth and represented so much to so many people and there should be an overwhelming majority support to change it.

"But the first question Mr Key should have asked is 'do we want to change the flag' and I'm sure the answer would have been an overwhelming 'no'. Then we wouldn't have had to spend all that money," Mrs Wakelin said.

"At a time when they are making cuts to so many things that $26 million could be much better spent on other things, like health or education."

The couple urged others to oppose changing the flag so the Government got the message.