Endorsements

Dion Nash, Former NZ Cricket International
When I played cricket for the Black Caps one of the most crucial lessons I learnt was the importance of having a collective goal, one that each member of the team could identify with, work for and be proud of. To me NZ society is just like a team, and although our flag might not be a goal in itself it is our national symbol and therefore should be something that we can all identify with if we are to expect everyone to 'put in for the cause'. I understand the background to our existing flag and come from Irish and Scottish ancestry myself, yet, if you asked me do I identify with the Union Jack I would have to say no. I am a proud Kiwi and one who wants to see our country flourish but, if I can't identify with our current flag it makes me wonder how people with Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Indian, Chinese or any other ancestry might feel towards it. We are all immigrants here, every one of us, after all before Maori arrived Aotearoa was a paradise unspoilt by human hands, that has changed and so too has the mood of our nation. I believe now is the time for a referendum on our flag, let the people have their say on this issue for the first time.