Many people confuse changing our flag with becoming a republic.
But they’re clearly separate issues, as you can see in the chart I’ve compiled below.
New Zealand’s blue ensign is one of 64 former British colonial ensign flags.
Most of which, like ours, are blue.
(Actually, there are many more blue ensigns, if you include states and provinces that were once colonies, and the ensigns flown by dozens of state institutions.)
Of those 64 former colonies, all but 12 now feel independent enough to fly a national flag of their own design.
Some of these countries (Burma, Fiji, Ireland, Somalia, Yemen, Zimbabwe) did not join, have left, or have been suspended by the Commonwealth since independence.
Others have become republics with their own heads of state.
But 15 remain constitutional monarchies within the Commonwealth, with the Queen as head of state.
Of these monarchies, 12 display no trace of the monarch’s home country on their flags.
You’ll see on this chart not only how stultifyingly unoriginal our flag is, but also how out of step we are in clinging to mother’s apron strings when mother abandoned us in the 70s to shack up with her neighbours.
Omission: between Canada and Ceylon above should be this flag of the Cayman Islands. As Jim from the Caymans kindly pointed out in Comments below, the Caymans still use an ensign flag – one of 14 countries to do so.
Oddly, despite their loyalty to the Union flag, only two of these countries – Australia and New Zealand – remain Commonwealth realms (in other words, have the Queen as head of state).
The full list of ensign fliers is: Anguilla, Australia, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Montserrat, Niue, New Zealand, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and Dependencies, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Tuvalu.
Of the 15 Commonwealth realms outside the UK that retain the Queen as head of state, only Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu still fly an ensign flag.
The other 12, and the dates they adopted their new flags, are:
Antigua and Barbuda (1997), The Bahamas (1973), Barbados (1996), Belize (1950), Canada (1965), Grenada (1974), Jamaica (1962), Papua New Guinea (1971), Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983), Saint Lucia (1979), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1985), Solomon Islands (1977) and Tuvalu (1978).
When you slice it up a different way, you see that for 22 of our Commonwealth cousins, a quirky inconsistency is the norm:
10 countries have the British flag on their flag, but do not have the British monarch as their head of state.
12 countries have the British monarch as their head of state, but do not have the British flag on their flag.
Only 3 countries (Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu) have both.
I say if 12 countries can discard the Jack and keep the Queen, so can we.
John Ansell 
Not for me to say, really, but it could be a really good idea. Take a vote, straight up!!
It is for you to say. Just as much as anyone else.
screw da queen and da jack!
because of dat bitch our own queen was denouced y shld we answer 2 another person we r in da fucking 21st centrey and we’re still need dat shriveled up hag permission 2 do anything
in my opion every1 shld b independent bt still help out othas when asked and da union jack is a start 2 our independs
i am in support of New Zealands flag change!
gr8! (bt pls mnd yr lngg)
Nice work there John!
Thanks David.
Without a Sovereign above the government, elected politicians would have absolute power. We all trust them don’t we? In any country where human rights abuse occurs it will be found that the government, elected or not, has absolute sovereignty and the power is held in the hands of only a few. Underarmland might one day become a republic but New Zealand never will because New Zealanders are not that stupid.
When a flag is being raised or lowered on a New Zealand armed forces base the officer faces the flag and salutes. He is not saluting the flag as the Americans do but is acknowledging the authority of the Sovereign. The armed forces members and the Police swear allegiance to the Sovereign and Her heirs and Successors not to the elected government which is important because if there is ever a conflict the soldiers will remove the government from power and the Governor General is then required to call an election within 28 days. This happened in Underarmland when Mr Whitlam was removed The senate had refused to give him the money he needed to govern. In the USA under George W Bush the same thing happened and for two weeks their servicemen ands public servants were not paid. None of them got annoyed enough ot push the nuclear button thank goodness.
Soldiers removed Gough Whitlam? I must have missed that.
I know soldiers removed the Fijian government a few times, but I didn’t see Her Majesty’s forces act against Rabuka or Speight, or her Governor-General force Bainimarama to call an election.
(When’s the next one: 2014?)
Neither did I see her intervene on behalf of her poor Zimbabwean people when Mugabe decided on his unique population control and monetary policies.
What can a monarch do to protect her New Zealand subjects when politicians go bad? And why would a properly constituted president be worse?
In any case, I’m only talking about changing the flag, not the head of state.
we cant change our flag untill we declare ourselves a republic as we are still bound to the commonwealth and because of that we still have to show our connections to it.
also something iv learned is that technically new zealand is still under the jurisdiction on new south wales in aussie.
on the whole if we do change the flag we should go for something simple like the silver fern with the southern cross on a black background i say
Jamie, as many countries on my chart have proved, we can change our flag whenever we like without becoming a republic or having to leave the Commonwealth.
As far as I can make out, Commonwealth nations aren’t bound by anything except the desire to belong to the same club. Even Mozambique and Rwanda are now members, and they’ve never been governed by the British.
80% of Commonwealth realms (that’s non-republics like us who still keep the Queen as head of state) have already changed their flags, so we’re one of the odd ones out.
If you want to see a flag like the one you describe, I’ve put one up on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=147481&id=536074882
If we change our flag tomorrow it means your tax goes up and it will go up a lot! atleast 20%. I vote shove new flags up your behind.
Thank you, George, for sharing with us your illuminating economic insight and proctological preference. You’re a credit to monarchists everywhere.
I like this idea of changing our flag… but part of me does not want to see the UnionJack discarded… New Zealand as a young country does not have much History to look back upon and the Jack sybolises our conection to Britain..
But anyway… i did hear recently that with the Quenn being quite old that when she does pass that in GB there will be talk of a Republic (while the royal keep the titles but are no longer Head of State) and if that happens New Zealand would most probably also become a republic then we would probably changte our flag because of the cercumstances…
So i kind of have mixed feelings about a change but it is a good idea !
Can’t imagine the Brits ditching the monarchy, John – it’s too woven into their brand image (if you’ll forgive the crass commercial-speak).
But if it did happen, then I’m sure things would play out the way you suggest, so bring it on!
Awesome, there we are with those other lawless states pitcairn, fiji and australia. That’s plenty reason enough to change in my book!
Plenty of good options for an alternative. No better time to act than now.
Quite right, Win.
I like the idea of a new flag design. Looking at the above and also what represents New Zealand….we are a green country in more ways that just the land/bush…we are known for the silver fern….we also have maori heritage to honour…so why not a green flag (taking into account some one said black fades quickly) with a silver fern and the 7 sisters star system – Pleides – seven silver stars, represented on it some where??
Can someone design that!
What ever happens with our flag we need to keep our hearts open and our egos out of the debate.
Why the Pleiades, Lisa, and not the Southern Cross? I did hear from some impeccable source (possibly the Weekly World News) that the Royal Family are reptile shapeshifters from the Pleiades, so perhaps that’s the link you were alluding to.
It is very simple. keep the jack or the stars and insert a Silver Fern.
Needless to say, Gazza, I prefer the stars. You can see the result here: https://johnansell.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/more-blue-fern-flags/
It’s about time we changed it! Almost every one of the new replacement flags are leagues ahead in design quality …… many look wonderful, even tiny Kiribas. We have had some really great suggestions for ours, so why don’t we just go ahead.
But with which suggestion, Athene? I don’t agree that very many of the proposed alternatives are great, but if we keep the debate going, I’m sure a tasteful and popular choice will emerge, as it did in Canada.
Why not consider the flag of the United Tribes?
It’s the one Heke wanted flown over Kororeka and it was
officialy registered as the New Zealand flag before
Hobson,Grey and co..
If I was Maori, Patrick, I would be none too pleased that the United Tribes flag features not one colonial symbol, but two – one big and one little cross of St George. That, perhaps, is why they rejected it as the Maori flag.
I don’t think there’s much point changing the flag if all we’re going to do is replace the Union Jack with two St George crosses.
I think it is time for a change, so that we can let the world know who we are. I like the fern idea, but just how dominate I am not sure. The more simple designs like what Canada and Pakistan have, tend to stand out best. It is amazing how many Aussies and Kiwis have trouble telling our flags apart, let alone people from other countries.
I agree, Simon. Some say we should be proud of our family connections, like the Scandinavian countries.
But the colourschemes of the Nordic cross flags of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland are distinctly different.
The relevant parallel would be the flags of Norway (blue cross with white border on red) and Iceland (red cross with white border on blue), but even these are probably easier to tell apart than ours and Australia’s.
ive been interested in a change of NZ flag for some years and have looked into many different ones I think something that includes the silver cross is the best option and it should also be simple
Did you mean the silver cross, Lynni, or was your merging of symbols accidental?
Why change the flag? The current flag makes a bold statement about NZ’s history and its geographical location, both important aspects of NZ’s identity. And loss of brand recognition is an important factor, obviously not one that Somalia, Burma or Ireland were concerned about. These flags were all changed at a very different point in these countries Histories as well, almost immediately following independence. The only real reason for a change now is to enrich a branding company. Or why not retain the flag but with the Red & Black colours of the Maori Flag?
So it’s OK to enrich a branding company as long as we use the Maori colours?
changing an ensign or flag is a real mind switch. i have no problem whatsoever in New Zealand confirming its independant identity. However, i do find it offensive that the UK ‘abandoned us in the 1970s to go and shack up with her nieghbour.
A common thought here in new zealand is that after the war (when we were starving and broken) we could not help in the 1950s and so New Zealand went scampering off to the Americans. In the 1970’s the UK was riddled with unemployment and debt and saw a way of changing and moving on and being part of europe as opposed to being constantly tied to America, a courageous decision at the time for a nation 5 billion in debt to America at the time and raging inflation of 15%.
New Zealand wishes to move on and change. This is a young country and change and evolution are all good things and part of this is your identity.
However,the ‘mother’ country that you find so useful to use as a scapegoat and yet wish to keep the english language, keep trade links, export lamb to, created you. You may not like it but the English,Scots and Irish and Welsh still are a major part of your nation and an influence.
Lets be honest here. The ‘mother’ country stopped being such in 1945 at the end of the war when she was flat broke…most of what were left of the colonies left in the 50’s and 60’s. Symbolism is fine and in museums is a heritage New Zealand can always be proud of so do not create some fantasy that the uk and the queen and the jack are some dreadful thing. They served a purpose and a time and now perhaps is a time to change, but change carefully.
why carefully? because that flag will represent you not only at sports events. it will go onto the field of battle, it will be set fire to by other nations,it will fly outside embassies in foriegn lands. Where there is no building or land that is kiwi, it will represent the whole of new zealand and its new history, everywhere.
The Jack is a combination of religeous comprehmise with the crosses of st andrew,st george, st patrick and pulled a country together. it was carefully thought out before being put together. Not here, but in the UK it still represents unity. Think about your new flag carefully my kiwi friends. It has far more to do representing you than simply look pretty or fly at a rugby match.
Good luck with your search for a flag to express the true heart of new zealand.
Lee…formerly 12 years RAF foward air controller,left uk at the age of 44 and now live in New Zealand. Yes proud of my past but also now proud of living here in New Zealand
Thanks Lee. I feel a twinge of guilt for offending you, as I am also proud to be descended from such a high-achieving and wonderfully eccentric race as the British.
My point though, is that Britain’s 1970s response to New Zealand’s incredible wartime sacrifices on her behalf was naturally viewed as disappointing over here.
But all countries must, I suppose, put self-interest before sentimentality. (I notice the Icelanders, in refusing to pay back their loans, are even putting it before honesty.)
But having put Germany, France etc. ahead of her colonial offspring, Britain will not be surprised if New Zealand sees the Union flag as past its use-by date.
I think that a new flag is a great idea, but keep it simple and iconic, perhaps an enlarged silver fern with the picture of a kiwi over it, and if for good measure manage to put the southern cross some where.
I think this would encompass all NZders whatever the back ground race or upbringing.
I agree with your goal, Craig, but not your execution. One iconic image is simple, three is complicated.
Keep the flag you have , you just may need the British at some point in the future when it all goes pair shaped.
Your home defence force will not stop anything. Remember where and who built most of this country do your history
Our home defence force has never had to stop an invader yet, Rich, and given that (in the words of Henry Kissinger) New Zealand is a dagger pointed at the heart of Antarctica, we’re unlikely to have to call for British reinforcements any time soon.
World War II was our closest call. Had the Japanese got past Australia, would Britain have come to our aid the way we rushed to theirs again and again?
They were rather tied up, as I recall. We’d only have been able to rely on the Americans.
But by contrast, Britain has called for reinforcements from New Zealand in two world wars and the Boer War, at the cost of many thousands of New Zealand lives.
So while we’re remembering who built our country, I hope you’ll remember who gave so many of their sons to defend yours.
Thanks Rich, thats enlightened…
NZ has a much longer history than the arrival of the penal colony settlers. We don’t need the Brits for anything, so why hang onto a relic on our flag?
The first country that leaps to attention when the USA coughs is the UK and they fought a war against each other.
Why would we need/want or even ask a country as far away from NZ as they are to assist us in our affairs?
Our defence force matches the threat, its small because it doesn’t need to be big, see the logic?
This debate isn’t about ‘doing your history’ although in your case it would certainly help you understand it a little more. Its about a national identity, which definitely isn’t English and should reflect more appropriately the cultural, regional and holistic history of this country. Not be left with a Brit marketing image stuck in the top left of our national flag.
Don’t turn the flag issue into a battle between Britain and NZ , after all are we all not part of the same family? distant cousins?
Why not make the jack in the flag much smaller and add the silver fern over the top.
My father once told me
‘look to the future but never forget your past’
But do you wear your father’s clothes, rik?
Actually I love the British and even feel quite British, despite first going there at the age of 42.
Back in the 60s, when all the other kids were watching Thunderbirds, I’d be watching Peter Cooke & Dudley Moore and At Last the 1948 Show and listening to reruns of the Goon Show.
I’m a big fan of British sports, music, comedies, documentaries, beer, food, cars – even the Union Jack, for that matter.
I just don’t see why we still need it on our flag.
I definitley think that the flag should not change because its always been out flag. And we need to show our history and where we come from. With the union jack.
Hi you forgot the Cayman Islands on your chart, British West Indies. We still have the union flag on our flag here.
So you do, Jim – my apologies. Not sure how I could have missed it. I took such pains over that chart too, but missed it fair and square.
I note that the Cayman Islands flew the Union Jack before 1959, and that your Olympic Games team has been flying the wrong flag since 1999 when the white disc was removed, leaving just the badge.
We had a similar instance here in 1972, when our unofficial anthem was mistakenly played in the medal ceremony for the New Zealand gold medal-winning rowing eight.
As a result of the positive reaction to the mistake, God Defend New Zealand soon displaced God Save The Queen as our official anthem.
As an aside, what an amazing thing the internet is where a mistake made in New Zealand can be picked up in the Cayman Islands!
Hello John , another display of flags that would be interesting would be a comparison of flags of Commonwealth of Nations members that still retain the Union Jack . I am working on it but you may have a better capacity to do the job . ?
I think it’s something like 3 retain out of 54 !
Jonathan, I don’t know if you’ve caught up with the amendment I made to the post after the last comment (see Omission), but there are 14.
According to the Commonwealth of Nations website . there are 54 members – all are Sovereign Nations ( a requisite for membership ).
Of those 54 members only Australia, NewZealand ,Tuvalu and Fiji ( Fiji suspended ) have a Union Jack as part of their flag .
That’s 4 out of 54 . The UK is a member but the UJ is it’s flag . In ‘ Omissions ‘ above you say that 10 of our Commonwealth cousins – have the British flag on their flag – ?
There are alot more issues to this matter then “unoriginality” most of which are quite complicated and the general public would not understand. This article is a poorly formed arguement full of fallacies and misleading operators
I always smile whenever someone claims that something is too complicated for his fellow humans to understand.
To me, it’s a sign that the claimant is a) a snob, and b) too muddle-headed to be able to simplify the issues for others.
Nothing is too complex to a clear-thinking, considerate communicator.
If you’re one (you’re certainly no speller), why don’t you tell us what these fallacies and misleading operators (whatever that means) are?
I have read through all the comments on this page and most have very different and very constructive takes as to the way to approach this issue.
My thoughts on the matter are that, without any disrespect to our British forefathers whom founded this nation for Britain, we remember what New Zealand’s History is. By this I mean when a peace (of sorts) was created between the British colonials and the Tangata Whenua of this land, New Zealand was truly born and whoever helped build our country from then on was a New Zealander, not british/scottish/french or the likes.
In taking the Jack off we will not forget our history instead, as aforementioned in other comments, we will create a flag that symbolises everything that is, was and will be New Zealand, for New Zealanders.
I agree Rob.
After going through this process, I also now believe that the “very different and very constructive takes” you allude to will make it very hard to find one single design that is more popular than the current flag.
I believe a change will only happen when we become a republic. At that point, the current flag should become redundant and the alternatives will be able to compete on a level playing field.
As many of the comments state it incorrectly….it’s not called a Jack. A jack is a term only used for a flag flying from a ship or boat. The proper term is Union Flag.
….and you missed Hawaii. That too uses the Union Flag…and again they changed it back to that design.
Thanks Wooly. Points taken.
I think perhaps people use the term ‘Union Jack’ because it sounds better (the reason for a lot of our linguistic errors!).
The idea of a Union ‘flag’ sitting in the corner of an ‘ensign’ may sound odd to those who think ‘flag’ means the whole piece of cloth.
I’m british (I do say this first before English as my family is intertwined with Wales and Scotland). Over the past couple of years I have been self-studying the British Empire and the Commonwealth. I feel immensely proud of all that has been achieved by Britain and its daughter nations and also regret that we have had to learn some painful lessons to get there.
If you asked me at the beginning of my studies my opinion of whether New Zealand, Australia and the others still bearing the Union Jack (this is an accepted name for the flag) should change their flags I would immediately have gone on the defensive as most Britons would and say it is unthinkable to remove a lasting link to your heritage.
Fast forward a couple of years and I can see that as the British Empire has evolved successfully into the democratic and equal Commonwealth (remember all members hold equal rights when decision making unlike Europe) so must the remainder of the countries tied to Britain. The debate of republicanism is quite rightly not involved with the debate of the design of your flag.
Look at some of the flags born since their independence you can see remnants of their British legacies e.g. Jamaica you can see either the St Andrew or St Patrick’s cross. Gibraltar uses part of its crest.
I personally like the design of a royal blue background with the leaf. Somehow I’d try to get the stars in as well, but it would need to be done discreetly. This would look different from the current New Zealand flag, but it would symbolise so much more. The royal blue would show your ties with Britain and so would the stars as both of these are on your current flag.
It is important for your country to find its identity. Those that cling onto the current flag may find bigger changes afoot that may disrupt New Zealand’s current way of life. Before people scream remove the monarchy please do some reading to fully understand the importance. Canada prefers a monarchy as it makes them less like the USA also it has given them a female head of state. I prefer Britain to have the monarchy as while she has no direct power she also has absolute power when the people ask of it.
In the past Britain learned the hard way that when her dependencies want change she must engage and allow it. Imagine the difference to history if The Republic of Ireland or America were allowed their own parliaments? When Canada, Australia and yourselves were given that freedom you took it as a gift and have shown no malice to your fellows. Ireland and America felt they had to fight to be listened to but it meant bloodshed against family and friends.
And so it is with the flag. Britain and HM Queen Elizabeth will not stop you changing your flag. We won’t even hold a grudge. No exclusion from the Commonwealth no mass emigration from your country. The colonial days are over. The Commonwealth is the product of centuries of fine tuning where all countries are free to do what is right for their people while upholding the values of democracy, freedom, peace, rule of law and opportunity for all.
Choose carefully and wisely while remembering how you got there…
Thank you for this thoughtful comment.
So when’s the referendum? Bring on the petitions! What does it take to begin a petition to initiate a referendum? And would we need to have a referendum (and win) for a flag change to happen or is there a less time consuming way of making it happen?
And while we’re at it can we think about dealing to the dreary English version of the national anthem?!!
Personally I’m a bit of an Anglophile and spent 7 years in the UK and loved it. But I don’t see why the NZ flag needs the Union flag in the corner anymore? Keep Queenie as head of state but lets have a more relevant flag for our own.
PS. Sorry to be pedantic but the British flag on our own flag is not a ‘Union Jack’ it’s the ‘Union Flag’ – a British flag is only referred to as a ‘Union Jack’ when it is flown from a Royal Naval vessel….again apologies for being pedantic.
It seems to me that the debate has moved on from ‘should we give ourselves a new flag?’ to ‘by what process should we design our new flag?’
Sure there are still plenty who would disagree that we need a new flag, but by and large their rationale for retaining the status-quo is a variation on ‘don’t fix what isn’t broken’, or confusing the issue of changing the flag with the issue of becoming a republic.
However as this article clearly illustrates there is no prerequisite requirement to leave the commonwealth in order to change the flag, and the opinion of those who consider it acceptable to continue using a colonial flag decades after we achieved independence should surely be ignored.
If we are to pick a new flag we must do so carefully. As Lee put it (above) on March 14 2010:
“that [new] flag will represent you not only at sports events. it will go onto the field of battle, it will be set fire to by other nations, it will fly outside embassies in foriegn lands. Where there is no building or land that is kiwi, it will represent the whole of new zealand and its new history, everywhere.”
Unfortunately we, as a people, achieve rather poorly on the scale of careful planning and thoughtful design. Need I provide more examples than Auckland’s shambolic transport corridors, or that poorly executed Rugby World Cup “party central”?
So I ask you, by what process will we ever reinvent our self-image and pick a new flag when we can’t even choose and design a party venue?!
ps. I don’t care too much for fern fronds on flags, and I think a nod to the past is in order …
That’s the problem Jason. You don’t want a fern flag. I do. And somebody else wants a flag with four stars, and someone else a tuatara rampant.
The ‘change’ lobby is hopelessly split, while the ‘no change’ lobby is united behind their beloved ensign.
But there is hope. It’s called Charles Chauvel’s flag bill. If it’s drawn from the ballot, and if it passes, there will be, I think, an 18 month deliberation process, followed by a referendum.
The PM would choose a panel, and the panel would choose three designs to be put before the public along with the current flag.
The public would vote twice. First, on which of the new designs they prefer. And second on whether they want to change.
That strikes me as something John Key would support. He once told me a new flag would be a good second term issue, and has already expressed a preference for a fern design on black (sorry!)
As long as he doesn’t have to spend any political capital, I think he’d probably encourage Chauvel’s bill if it comes up.
Long may the ties that bind Australia, Canada Jamaica et al. together and with the Mother Country!
Why change the flag?
If we are only one of three nations that is still part of the common wealth, has the Queen as head of state and still flys a Blue Ensign then doesn’t that make us a little bit more unique than the 12, or so that have done different.
I am a proud British New Zealander (not a Pakeha) and that flag represents my roots, along with the majority of New Zealanders. I believe whether I like it or not, New Zealand will one day become a republic, and if it does than so be it, that is the time to change the flag. But changing the flag for the sake of changing the flag is ridiculous and frankly a waste of time.
This process has taught me that you are right, Travis — only when we become a republic will we change our flag.
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Change the flag – Black flag with the silverfern on it! Its a longgggg time coming – We are a independent nation and we can do it! BTW she aint my queen!
Did you know the New Zealand Flag (altered over time) originated from the Wellington Yacht Club?
A flag is symbolic of a Nation of people? You want to change the flag, Great! Change it as much as you like! You must be Mauri (maori) the other Tiriti partner alongside the Real Flesh and Blood being Queen Elizabeth that wants it changed?
You know…Not the constitutional head of state Queen Elizabeth, or not the ‘Queen in Right of New Zealand’ Queen, or not the Monarchy as symbolized in the ‘English’ writing Queen Elizabeth…but the REAL FLESH AND BLOOD BEING Queen Elizabeth.
Did you know the REAL FLESH AND BLOOD BEING King William 4th chose 3 flags for the Mauri (maori) Nga Puhi Chiefs to chose 1 for their ships while trading around the world?
Did you know that one of the Mauri (maori) Trading ships were confiscated and all its produce detained in Sydney because there was no flag flying, giving identity of their Nationality or country?
Did you know the United Tribes Flag (yes, that colonized one with the Saint George’s red cross on it!!) Is the only flag in Aotearoa or if you like Niu Tireni (New Zealand) that had a 21 Gun Salute in recognition of the Mauri (maori) people as an Independent Nation, Chiefs of the United Tribes?
Did you know this ceremony was attended and witnessed by French and American people?
Did you know He Whakaputanga O Nga Rangatira O Nga Hapu 1835 is the founding document of the Mauri (maori) people of Aotearoa or Niu Tireni and the Heirs and Successors REAL FLESH AND BLOOD BEING Queen Elizabeth ancestors the partner to this document?
Did you know Te Tiriti O Waitangi 1840 is the founding document allowing Pakeha to be here in our home (now their’s) and to look after and govern their own people?
Did you know article 2, 3 & 4 of Te Tiriti O Waitangi 1840 Mauri (maori) version are entrenched in He Whakaputanga O Nga Rangatira O Nga Hapu 1835 Mauri (maori) version
.
Did you know that 175 – plus years of colonization in a Pakeha system have made us, Mauri (maori) proficient in the English language. Can you say the same about Mauri (maori) language?
.
Did you know that New Zealand government past and present are in debt to America, in the billions?
Did you know that Aotearoa or Niu Tireni Mauri (maori) people as an Independent Nation, Chiefs of the United Tribes are not in debt to anyone, America or IMF?
Did you know that Hillary Clinton wants New Zealand as the 53rd State of America?
Did you know that Jill Gillard wants New Zealand under the rule of Australia?
Did you know that only Mauri (maori) people as an Independent Nation, Chiefs of the United Tribes can save this country from GREEDY CORPORATES, FICTION ENTITIES, 3RD PARTY INTERLOPERS?
So you say Mauri (maori) people do not meet in congress October of every year?
So you say Mauri (maori) people do not have a head of State or system in place?
Use, abuse, fraudulent, corrupt, deceit, murder, rape, coercion, force…oh damn!!!!
That’s right you want to change the flag!!!
gr8! (bt pls mnd yr lngg) says it all. He seems to be the brainiest on the whole site. gr8! (bt pls mnd yr lngg) for president (if he can spell it).
Ooh I’m very sorry I did not mean to offend you with (bt pls mnd yr lngg), & I don’t want to assume it means what I think it means…just what part do you find (bt pls mnd yr lngg)…Of##nsive, rude?
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( I havent checked all the responses), however your main story on this blog misses the point that a numvber of Union Jack “country flags” are British Overseas Territiries. By being an ovseras territory of the UK it by default has the Queen as Head of State.
From your “countries” list these are:
Bermuda, Anguilla, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and Pitcairn Islands.
South West Africa was never a British possession, or an independent country at the time you depict it using a Union Jack Flagit was awarded to South Africa as a United Nations Trust Territory after WW1 (Hence using the South African Flag variant shown).
Niue is a territory of New Zealand (as is Cook Islands, also having a Union Jack Ensign Flag (with a circle of stars) and also missing from your list)
Tuvalu has a Union Jack Ensign Flag, is a Commonwealth Realm, and Fiji still uses a Union Jack Ensign Flag and became a republic by way of a Military Coup in 1987.
The number of independent nations using the Union Jack is FOUR:
Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu and Fiji, of which Fiji is the only one not a Commonwealth Realm.
The US state of Hawaii also uses a Union Jack in its flag