Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Could This Be New Zealand's New Flag...

Could this design by Michael Smythe
based on New Zealand artist Gordon Walters' well known Koru symbol be the new
New Zealand flag?
New Zealand has just, on February 6th 2015, celebrated its one hundred and seventy fifth anniversary commemorating its nationhood and the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi.
In world terms we are the new kids on the block.
As Michael Smythe, the designer of this stunningly bold and beautiful flag, says here, we are a young, isolated, evolving and multicultural country with a unique bicultural heritage that engages constructively with the world
on our own terms. 
The debate on when why or if we should change from the current flag we've grown up with raises its head periodically or when the government wishes to talk about something other than a controversial issue of the day.
Perhaps it is time for a change.
Could this bold statement be New Zealand's new image it presents to the world?
I'd like to think it could...

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14 comments:

  1. Andolphus GreyFebruary 18, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    I like it! Let's face it, the rest of the world has a hard time keeping all those post British Empire flags straight.

    All that gaudy red white and blue . .

    . . maybe he could design a flag for the US.

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    Replies
    1. RoFebruary 18, 2015 at 11:35 PM

      And the colour of the US flag is.............

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    Shoulda moved to NZ when we still had a working Common Wealth

    anglo

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  3. pbFebruary 18, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    I do like the design......I hope it honours the multi-cultural aspect of NZ enough. I'm not sure that we engage with the world on our own terms though. We certainly used to. At the moment we could be an appendage of China or the USA and everything is on their terms. Will it ever change back?

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  4. UnknownFebruary 18, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    From an aesthetic perspective this design, this flag is a very good choise for you New Zealanders. In beauty it will range as number two in the world - next to the Danish. go for it!

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    Replies
    1. The Flying TortoiseFebruary 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM

      The Danish flag is indeed wonderfully simple and bold...

      Delete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    I don't personally like this design, but the one selected must be chosen by the public at large of course.
    This one doesn't print well against either a white or black background.
    I personally think that as black depicts a shy and introverted, even negative self image it should not be a colour of choise for our flag.
    I would prefer to incorporate at least some red, and/or some yellow as they are very positive colours.
    The World needs to see us as positive, forward looking, clear sighted, creative people, not black and white and dogmatic which I see this design to be.
    Just my personal opinion....Jennybee

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  6. GlovebugFebruary 18, 2015 at 7:27 PM

    I fancy a two sided flag . One side with the black and red Maori flag (not unlike your example) and the reverse side blue, representing the Pacific ocean together with the southern cross stars showing our spot in the world . This represents our two main cultures .

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2015 at 10:07 PM

      That sounds great Glovebug. I really like the Maori flag and the blue to represent the Pacific with the Souhern cross is good.
      And why not 2 sided? It's certainly an original concept. I like that.
      By the way, what's with your nomdeplume? the mind boggles. You collect gloves, so maybe you're a woman.
      You wear gloves while collecting bugs?
      You are a lovebug in gloves? Please tell.
      I am Jenny Bee because I earned that name at the age of one year, because I was a busy Bee named Jennifer.

      Delete
    2. GlovebugFebruary 19, 2015 at 2:22 PM

      Hi Jenny Bee , This is the name of my lovely Motorhome in which my wife and I trundle around this beautiful country of ours . (I think Keith would call it a chilli bin). Our surname is Glover. Our Motorhome friends refer to us as "The Glovebuggers" .

      Delete
  7. RoFebruary 18, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    It looks like some sort of barcode, nondescript. The people of New Zealand are anything but nondescript! They deserve something more distinct than than.

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  8. Paul MullingsFebruary 19, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    Let's hope not!, What is it with all the drab colours? A flag should be a bold statement that reflects the colours of the South Pacific island we inhabit.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Michael SmytheMay 18, 2015 at 5:47 PM

    Thank you for posting this Flying Tortoise - and thanks to everyone else for the feedback. I have done some more development and an updated design will emerge soon.

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    Replies
    1. The Flying TortoiseMay 18, 2015 at 7:31 PM

      Thanks Michael. Perhaps you will send me images of the updated design. Click on 'my complete profile' and you'll find an email address...

      Delete