Bad or Rad: New Zealand's New Flag

uh.... 11 years ago

I couldn't tell if he was using sign language as he spoke as well. **confused** 11 years ago

I think it's sad to erase part of its heritage like that. 11 years ago

Let me just make it clear. This is not a done deal yet. In an effort to waste as much taxpayers money as possible there's two lots of voting going on. This first round was for people to decide which of 5 designs they would want to see as a replacement. The next vote is where we decide if we take the replacement or keep the old. There's a lot that didn't vote in this first round as there was no option to mention that you wanted status quo. So it could get interesting with the next vote. Either way there'll be a few million dollar thrown away that could have gone to much better causes. 11 years ago

It's a disaster - the whole process has been a mess, steered by a committee of the Prime Minister's chums without a single designer involved. Somehow despite spending $29m the government has missed explaining to the public what flag design is. One quality design has emerged called "red peak" - http://aotearoaflag.tumblr.com/. it looks like a flag and sums up ideas related to our nationhood without trying to be too literal, and the design community and pretty much everyone thoughtful about culture has swung behind it . But the public has been stuck on either not changing (ie sticking with a heavily British flag indistinguishable from Australia's) or Lockwoods ugly, overly detailed mashup. The cynic in me says well... democracy sucks, but mostly it's a lesson in what happens where there is no understanding of design, design process, let alone flag design. 11 years ago

I think the design on the fern is a bit too crafty. Call me old-fashion but I think it would look better as a seal/coat of arms sort arrangement - like the eagle on the Mexican Flag. This just kinda... smacks of something someone whipped up on paint... nice in its own right, but not really something I could see being flown across a nation. I like the concept though, it could just use a few more drafts. The black against the silver is kind of interesting; reminds me of the Maori designs. Not sure if that's what he's going for, but if that's what he means by "our history", it's really cool that he gave the Maori a shout-out in his flag -- even if it is subtle. I don't know, maybe I'm imagining it. 11 years ago

I didn't vote for any of them and in the final vote I'll be voting against changing it to this cartoon. Hideous idea to change it. The designer doesn't even live here. 11 years ago

I even kinda like it although the Red Peak one was my fav. 11 years ago

Thank you Tim Gummer! I really agree, the flag in the link is much much better and well designed in its simplicity! 11 years ago

Back to the drawing board as far as I'm concerned. As many of you have commented, Flags are (or should be) a simplified representation of culture and heritage. Not a 'logo' based design. The silver fern should not be there at all. That has been developed as an icon representing sporting teams. The heritage of NZ is a blend of British sovereignty and Maori culture. Surely a simplification of the Union Jack somehow blended with Maori Koru motif, in red back and white could be the answer we are all looking for. I guess another ex-pat Kiwi, like myself will have to take the reigns…. again… …and what gives, having an Aussie design a Kiwi flag! What The!!!! 11 years ago

Thanks Tim Gunner! This one is a winner!! http://aotearoaflag.tumblr.com/. 11 years ago

Good! 11 years ago

Red Peak is a flag. The other is overthought, it only makes full sense when explained. 11 years ago