Could this be New Zealand’s new national flag?
New Zealand has invited citizens to make suggestions for a new flag – leading to calls for it to officially adopt a Pride flag.
The country is currently planning to change its flag over concerns that the current design, which features a red southern cross and a Union flag on a blue background, is too similar to Australia’s flag – which features a white southern cross and a Union flag on a blue background.
However, after the country was unable to settle on any of the official proposals, it has opened suggestions to its citizens – allowing members of the public to submit their own ideas for the flag for discussion.
The submission above, suggested by Lisa McFarland from Auckland, features a similar design to the current flag with pride colours in the background – reflecting New Zealand’s diversity and status as a regional hub for same-sex weddings, after passing equal marriage into law in 2013.
Another flag, suggested by Lindsay, Ally & Pearl from Auckland, includes a rainbow on a white cloud background.
They explained: “Long white cloud, New Zealand Rainbow – diversity of our society. Equal width of each colour represents equal right of each person. White cloud and rainbow also represents our pristine environment.”
Logan Wu from Wellington’s flag design features red sheep on a rainbow ground below mountains – which he says represents the “freedom of expression enjoyed by all”.
Fosh from Wellington, meanwhile, wants the country to pay homage to its national bird and the popular internet meme Nyan Cat – by introducing the ‘Nyan Kiwi’ flag.
Some of the submissions are just plain weird, with David Astil from Waikato proposing the country’s current flag emblazoned on the back of a Kiwi.
