11August 2004
Half a world away in Athens the man leading our Olympic team has caused a flap calling for a change to the New Zealand flag.
New Zealand's Chef De Mission to the Athens Olympics David Currie says our flag is no longer relevant.
"Yeah it seems to me that it is time we had a flag that we can clearly identify with," Currie told the Holmes programme.
The rest of the world could be forgiven for confusing the New Zealand flag with Australia's.
"Clearly our uniforms identify who we are... but our flag doesn't," Currie said.
Currie is touting a black flag with a stylised silver fern as his flag of choice for our Athletes in Athens.
He says the bold design clearly identifies the New Zealanders spot in the Olympic village.
A cavalcade of high-profile kiwi's are also backing the plan to fly the fern.
A website was launched earlier this year to explore the idea further and garner support for a change.
Holmes viewers seem to agree with Dave Currie that it is time for a change. Of the 12,285 people that rang in, 6,495 voted for a flag change and 5,790 voted against.
Any change to the flag would require a petition with 270,000 signatures, then a referendum.
Following that a design would have to be chosen.
The whole process could take up to three years.
One News/Holmes
© TVNZ 2004