RSA official flags opposition

RSA President John Treanor said he echoed the RSA national president's statement that the Government should wait until after commemorations for World War I were complete. Photo / Stephen Parker

Now is not the right time to change New Zealand's flag, according to Rotorua RSA president John Treanor.

Earlier this week Prime Minister John Key said New Zealanders were likely to get their first vote on a new national flag at the end of next year through a process of two referenda.

In the first referendum, New Zealanders would vote on the best alternative flag from three or four options, chosen by a committee after a public submission process.

In the second referendum, the public would vote whether to change to the winning alternative design or to keep the current flag.

But, Mr Treanor said he echoed the RSA national president's statement that the Government should wait until after commemorations for World War I were complete - at the end of 2018.

"We should leave it as it is and revisit it at that time.

"Why jump waka when you are in the middle of a river?

"I think it makes a lot of sense to hold off."

Mr Treanor said one of the popular flag suggestions - a silver fern on a black background - would probably not be a good idea.

"At sea black and white is the colour of pirate flags and is also the national colours of mourning in China. This is not one of those things you can make a quick judgement on," Mr Treanor said.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the issue was something signalled before the election.

"It's a good time to have the debate about what it means to be a New Zealander, but ultimately it will be up to the public of New Zealand to decide through the referenda.

"I support the discussion and urge all New Zealanders to have their say."

Mr McClay said he had many people speak to him about the issue with some saying just a small change to the flag, like a silver fern, would have more meaning for New Zealanders.

Rotorua Daily Post Facebook users had mixed feelings about the proposed change. Many felt it was a smokescreen for other issues the Government was involved with, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement or sending troops to the Middle East.

"Don't be fooled. This is a diversion tactic designed to distract you from the real social and political problems in this country," one person said. Another said "there is nothing wrong with our flag, how about changing our healthcare and ways to feed our pensioners, stop wasting our tax money."

Others were concerned it would upset the country's returned service-people. "Our veterans fought for that flag! Went to war and gave their lives under the banner of our flag! Change it? No way!"

What do you think?
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