Wairarapa to hoist rival flags before vote

The New Zealand flag and the contender will be flown in Wairarapa in the lead-up to the flag referendum. PHOTO/FILE

The current and proposed New Zealand flags will be flown throughout the Wairarapa region in the lead-up to the final flag referendum.

Next month New Zealanders will decide whether the flag that has represented the country for over 100 years will continue to do so, or if it will be replaced by the Silver Fern Flag, which was designed by Kyle Lockwood.

The referendum runs from March 3 to 24, and people are able to vote if they are on the voter roll even if they did not vote in the first referendum.

Masterton District Council will soon have the two options flying outside the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton.

The South Wairarapa District Council will have a set flying in each of its main towns.

They will fly in the front of the Featherston Library on Fitzherbert St, in front of the old Greytown Library, now the Design Library, on Main St and in front of the SWDC office in Kitchener St, Martinborough.

In Carterton, due to the three flag poles not standing in line, the two flags are "about 15 metres apart".

"They are flying, just not side by side," said council community development manager Carolyn McKenzie.

The current New Zealand flag is flying outside the library and the proposed Silver Fern Flag is outside the Carterton Events Centre.

"Obviously we don't have a preference and it is up to the public to decide," Ms McKenzie said.

"But I do think changing the flag is going to be an emotive subject for some people."

Herald columnist Brian Rudman said "fold up the old one and send it back to the British Navy", while Jim Hopkins, another Herald columnist, said "let the flag remain".

"They recall mistakes and triumphs, failings and virtues" Hopkins said.

If New Zealand votes for a new flag, it is likely that the change would take place within six months of the second referendum.