Clark hints at dropping Union Jack

Our 'new' flag minus the Union Jack.

The Prime Minister has suggested taking the Union Jack out of the flag.

Asked whether New Zealand should become a republic or consider changing its flag, Helen Clark said the two issues could be kept separate.

"I think people could debate the flag the way Canada did all those years ago when it transitioned to the maple leaf without it calling into question the basic consitutional status and Canada, of course, still recognises the Queen as its head of state as well."

Helen Clark said if the public did want to "New Zealandise our flag" the Union Jack could be taken out, leaving it with the "rather attractive Southern Cross".

The PM said on a children's TV programme in 2005 that taking out the Union Jack would be "just great, because it has the Southern Cross and the beautiful blue of the sea and sky around New Zealand".

- NZPA