17 APRIL 2005
By EMILY WATT
Telecom head Theresa Gattung thinks it is time for a national re-brand.
She wants a New Zealand flag to better reflect the spirit of the country and Kiwis' national identity.
"New Zealand is a country that often leads the world, it rides the front of the wave," she said. "We need to stand in our own space."
Gattung is lending her voice to the nzflag.com campaign, which is backed by high-profile Kiwis including musician Neil Finn, writer Alan Duff, silver fern captain Anna Rowberry, Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall and former governor-general Dame Cath Tizard.
Gattung said New Zealand's flag did not adequately capture who Kiwis were as a nation.
She acknowledged there was much historical significance attached to the existing flag, but this could be honoured in other ways, she said. A new flag could pay tribute to New Zealand's British heritage as well as better represent Kiwis now.
"The flag should be something inspiring for the whole country. (It should represent) who we are now and who we are striving to be in the future," she said.
Gattung does not have a favourite alternative and, although an avid rugby fan, she thought some of the suggested designs - such as the white fern on black background - were too sports-oriented.
"I suspect that we haven't got the ideal design yet," she said.
Rugby Football Union head and former All Black captain Tane Norton is also in favour of a new flag. The self-confessed traditionalist, who says he does not make changes without a lot of thought, said he was convinced it was time for change.
"When our ensign flies alongside our close neighbour's at sporting events or on other important occasions, I want to be able to distinguish, in an instant, my country's colours, and feel proud to be a New Zealander," he said.
The nzflag.com campaigners are seeking 300,000 signatures to force a referendum at the election to change the flag. They have not yet reached 100,000, but spokeswoman Jo Coughlin said this was due to a shortage of volunteers to collect signatures, rather than any lack of support.
Recent media polls show growing support for a change of flag. The latest poll by the Xtra website shows 55% in favour of a change.
Sunday Star-Times
(c) 2005 Fairfax New Zealand Limited