# New Zealand is choosing a new flag **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 17, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413 "2015-07-17T13:43:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ferris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ferris/32/11573_2.png) [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/81 "2015-09-02T04:01:59Z")
Another consideration is how the flags look when there’s no wind, hanging limply. I can’t immediately find an image of this, but from a graphic I saw on TV yesterday, the solely black and white flags became unrecognisable, while the ‘red and blue’ and ’ black and blue’ ones would still be obviously ‘New Zealand’. ---
**Author:** ![Jaguars](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaguars/32/5879_2.png) [@Jaguars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaguars)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/82 "2015-09-02T22:08:55Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Huh. I quite like Otis Frizzel’s swirly flag. I seem to be the only one who does, though. > > I think Kyle Lockwood’s looks too much like a clothing brand. It grew on me too, in the end. ☹ I don’t like the process, I feel like they’ve railroaded us with the illusion of choice. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/83 "2015-09-03T03:57:44Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > …The swirl one is kinda wierd and artsy. I wonder if that’s the choice that is intended to be rejected. Remember when people were voting on the replacement for the World Trade Center, and the choices were the decent-looking Freedom Tower, and some unGodly abomination that looked like a skeletal tower with a plane sticking out of the side? It was pretty obvious which one was the “correct” choice. Henry Kissinger once joked that, in writing a foreign policy memo for Nixon, he would present three options: 1. Launch an immediate, full-scale nuclear strike on the Soviet Union 2. Negotiate an immediate U.S. surrender to the Soviet Union 3. The policy initiative Kissinger favored ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/84 "2015-09-03T04:25:23Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Has anyone thought of the obvious solution?: NZ declares war on Australia, devastates it, makes THEM change the flag. Now now, be nice or we’ll ship all your dole bludgers back to you.😛 ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/85 "2015-10-05T02:53:20Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And here’s some more contenders, put forward by members of the public. The kiwi with lasers coming out of its eyes is … interesting. > > [Colourful contenders for New Zealand’s new flag.](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32751191) Phil Plunkett wasn’t trying very hard. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/86 "2015-10-05T03:34:43Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Huh. I quite like Otis Frizzel’s swirly flag. I seem to be the only one who does, though. No, I also like it a lot. That’s one case where four (not three, not two) colors works very well. Sadly, I’m not Kiwi, and I think I missed this thread this summer. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/87 "2015-10-05T03:51:33Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Hawaii has the Jack on its flag. No trouble no conflict just an embrace of history. > > [hawaiian flag - Google Search](https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=hawaiian+flag&biw=1242&bih=571&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CBsQsARqFQoTCPrLtaDx88YCFcwelAodaDIM1w#imgrc=iT4X6_msfjwYRM%3A) Perhaps they could join New Zealand for a Polynesian Jack-Off 2016. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/88 "2015-10-05T03:52:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I think this is a wee too restrictive. I would allow—at the very least—the “Crayola eight” and a few more, so: > > - white > - black > - red > - green > - dark blue > - light blue > - orange > - yellow > - purple > - brown > - grey > > I go back and forth on pink. Those are all basic, recognizable, distinguishable colors. I wouldn’t go beyond these 11 (or 12). That’s pretty reasonable. Not that it matters in modern heraldry, with modern dyes, but in traditional western European heraldry those are, more or less… Argent Sable Gules Vert Azure (variant of; such as the midnight blue on USA flags) Azure (cerulean) Orange, sometimes taken as Tenné Or Purpure Brunâtre, or Tenné …um, Vair? (not really; grey looks like a faded version of something else, and Vair is a pattern; but there are a very few devices with “silver” distinct from “white” so it’s possible). I would happily add pink (and call it something like Carnation), but remember that some pinks look a lot like faded red/purple, and it would be seen by some as a variant of Gules or Purpure. There’s also a teal that’s used a lot in Chinese color design, and considered distinct from both “green” and “blue.” ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/89 "2015-10-05T03:55:25Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Has anyone thought of the obvious solution?: NZ declares war on Australia, devastates it, makes THEM change the flag. If two countries with Elizabeth II as their Queen go to war, is she required to attack herself? Can NZ claim dibs on her right hand, and Aus her left? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/90 "2015-10-05T04:38:40Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > LMAO! The mullet-star is the best thing I’ve heard/read today! I agree with you on that, especially since different stars would give another symbolism opportunity (“the 6 point star represents the 6 blahblahblah”, like that). I like the Greater Octogram star: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/8-Point-Star\_black.svg/1024px-8-Point-Star\_black.svg.png](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/8-Point-Star_black.svg/1024px-8-Point-Star_black.svg.png) “Mullet” actually means “star” (or at least, the things with points all around that we also call “stars”) in heraldry. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/91 "2015-10-05T04:58:44Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > If two countries with Elizabeth II as their Queen go to war, is she required to attack herself? Can NZ claim dibs on her right hand, and Aus her left? This has already happened, sort of. In 1983, the US invaded Grenada accompanied by forces from several Caribbean states. Both Grenada and some of the invaders were Commonwealth Realms. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/92 "2015-11-20T15:50:20Z")
Here’s CNN on the start of the voting, along with some _very_ funny alternative flags. The kiwi with a frickin’ laser beam coming out of its eye is my instant fave: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/20/asia/new-zealand-flag-vote/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/20/asia/new-zealand-flag-vote/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/93 "2015-11-20T17:49:46Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Here’s CNN on the start of the voting, along with some _very_ funny alternative flags. The kiwi with a frickin’ laser beam coming out of its eye is my instant fave: [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/20/asia/new-zealand-flag-vote/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/20/asia/new-zealand-flag-vote/index.html) Better than the kiwi with a rainbow coming out its ass? I don’t think so 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/94 "2015-11-20T21:14:08Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Better than the kiwi with a rainbow coming out its ass? I don’t think so 😃 Let’s take a vote… ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/95 "2015-12-15T13:40:46Z")
Well, now we know what’s going head to head with the current flag: [New Zealand announces final contender for flag vote](http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0TY0Q620151215) ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/96 "2015-12-15T14:03:38Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Well, now we know what’s going head to head with the current flag: > > [New Zealand announces final contender for flag vote](http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0TY0Q620151215) Nice. I was half-expecting one of the joke flags to win. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/97 "2015-12-15T14:07:17Z")
Love it. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/98 "2015-12-15T15:15:23Z")
Pretty good IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/99 "2015-12-15T16:01:38Z")
I don’t know. It’s too much like, “We couldn’t agree on one thing to put on our flag, so we put two.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413/100 "2015-12-15T16:21:01Z")
What, no laser eyes? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-zealand-is-choosing-a-new-flag/725413.md?page=6)