From my initial brainstorming I came to the conclusion that I was more lenient toward the topic of No Flag Change vs Flag Change, therefore I am now researching into both sides of this argument, which will then set me up effectively to make the decision as to what side I want to portray within my final poster.
This research process is vital in order for me to understand my topic, as the better I understand the better I will be able to create a solid argument and come to grips with my stance. By researching both sides I can also capitalise on knowing the opposing perspective. Basically this step is vital, when knowing how to communicate what I want to in a strong manner, as I could come up with a really good poster, however it could be contrary to your actual perspective, without the right research.
I have read, and taken snippets from each of the articles that create effective points, which can help me in the process of choosing which side of the argument I will portray in my poster.
- For the Flag Change
- Against the Flag Change
Gareth Morgan: Get rid of our flag of subservience
New Zealand must abandon the flag that symbolises colonial domination and tell the world who they are today.
Notes: Straight of the bat, this is a strong point to argue within a poster, where the need for NZ to express their individuality in the flag is exposed within one sentence.
....opportunity for us to think about our flag, and make sure it does reflect the story of who we are as a nation. The current one, a modified British Navy ensign, certainly does not. Once we understand and agree on who we are as nation, designing a new flag should be easy.
Three arguments against change have surfaced. The $26 million cost is too high, the money should be spent elsewhere, and our soldiers fought for the current flag.
I agree $26 million is too much, particularly in a world where the internet allows us to get feedback and ideas very cheaply. But I don't agree that a change of flag is not a priority - the current salute to British imperialism is cringeworthy, and an insult.
Changing the flag in no way disrespects our soldiers' sacrifice, in fact it enhances it. Our sense of nation was forged on the shores of Gallipoli, yet 100 years on we continue to fight under the symbol of the colonial power that not only horrifically messed up that campaign, costing our lives, but whose earlier legacy was wholesale abuse of undertakings made to Maori in the Treaty of Waitangi.
Since 1835, NZ has used a variety of designs as the national flag. Our current flag dates from 1902 and its history shows it is all about, and only about, British imperialism.
In 1947 we shook off the colonial shackle and became independent. In 1973 Britain cut our preferential trade links when it entered the EU. It wasn't until 1986 that our Constitution Act finally ended the right of the British Parliament to legislate here.
Our current flag reflects that national immaturity. It broadcasts that Aotearoa New Zealand is still really someone else's possession. We belong to nobody else, and New Zealanders need to end this grovelling, stand up and acknowledge that we are grown ups now. Until we do, the colonial cringe remains part of our national identity.
Notes: This really screams the idea of independence and freedom and how right now we can be seen as too dependent on Britain and the colonisation
We have spent an enormous amount of effort since 1975 acknowledging the Treaty of Waitangi as our founding document. It, rather than Hobson's unilateral proclamation of colonisation, is the official basis for New Zealand. That's official, no arguments, we need to keep moving forward from that fact. The Treaty recognises the rights of two societies to co-exist and share this land.
Notes: 'recognise...two societies co exist and share this land' could be a concept that I could play on within the poster design.
We are clearly a multicultural society today, and we have a unique bicultural treaty that legitimises our presence here. The descendants of British settlers are only one of the peoples of this land, but all of us are New Zealanders - and we need a flag that acknowledges that and tells our story.
we have to marginalise that regressive inertia and get on with finding a symbol that truly tells the story of who we are as a nation.
Notes: Our flag needs to be a simple and obvious symbol that 'tells our story'
Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11448793
What New Zealand stands for via standfor.co.nz
I stand for The flag we have!! My great grandparents fought for this flag and many of our countrymen died for it. I don't care what people say about this flag it is apart of me and I will fly this flag for the rest of my life and so will my children, it is who I am and forever will be.
-Ann-Marie Peck
I stand for either spending $26 million to alleviate child poverty or on this farce
-Dr Vincent Wong
I stand for New Zealand is a unique Country, and should have something different, The flag should be a Silver Fern that has 10 sheep on it, one for every letter in "NEW ZEALAND" and be a black flag, (All Blacks) with white fern and also white sheep.
-Michael Steele
I stand for a flag that is easy to distinguish NZ from other countries. NZ is a very multicultural country now, but i think it should still some how represent Maori and English heritage. Perhaps still keeping Red, White & Blue - with the Matariki Stars? Fern? or Koru Symbol?
-Heather Breen
I stand for a new generation of kiwis, a positive future and a modern society represented by a new flag.
-Bettina
I stand for I stand for changing our flag - to something that reflects who were are as a people while marking us as differentiate from our Australian neighbors. And unlike the flag we currently have, I appreciate being given a chance to debate it and help pick a new one. Thank you!
-Andi
I stand for keeping the current flag. A flag is important it is not just a piece of fabric with a picture on it waving in the breeze. Our forefathers fought for our country under this flag. We should be teaching our children about this.
-K Butler Stoney
Retrieved from http://www.standfor.co.nz/
Why Change? Sir Miles Warren
I agree that the time has come to change our national flag. For many people ours is indistinguishable from the Australian flag, it is seen as exclusively British and colonial and it's too complicated both to read and make.
Retrieved from http://www.nzflag.com/default.cfm
It's time our flag said something about ourselves, what we have become - not that we were once part of the British Empire.
-Alan Duff
I think New Zealand deserves a new flag so that it can re-establish itself as a unique country with unique visual identity. I believe that our present flag doesn't represent our current culture in this country nor is it a very interesting or inspiring design.
-Barnaby Weir
Retrieved from http://www.nzflag.com/endorsements.cfm
Eight reasons for a new New Zealand flag
1. A flag is meant to be flown
Flags should be highly visible symbols of a nation’s presence. Because the current Union Jack-based flag does not resonate with New Zealanders, it is comparatively infrequently flown. Its uses are mainly confined to official buildings and occasions. A visit to any town in America or Switzerland, for example, shows what happens when a flag is a potent emotional symbol. The New Zealand flag needs to have emotional and symbolic potency in order for it to be embraced and used by New Zealanders.
2. A flag needs to be instantly recognisable
Test after test shows that the current New Zealand flag is immediately confused with flags of other countries, especially Australia. In many instances, a flag is used in an international context. There is no question that the Silver Fern is the most recognised symbol of New Zealand. For over a century the Silver Fern has been the emblem of our sports men and women. The Silver Fern is used extensively as a symbol by Government, tourism, trade organisations and commercial brands. The Silver Fern says "New Zealand".
3. A flag is a brand
New Zealand competes with other countries, cities, and commercial brands. Countries with the strongest, simplest flags tend to have the most cut-through impact. Today, commercial brands command greater recognition than most flags. As an export country competing on the world stage, we need our flag to be strongly competitive from a brand/ symbol/icon point of view.
4. A flag needs to connect emotionally
The heart needs to beat faster on sighting of our country’s flag. The Silver Fern is etched in the memory of great victories by the All Blacks, our runners Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell and John Walker, the rowing eight from Munich. The Silver Fern conjures up emotions of grit, guts and genius. It says, "take on the world and beat it". These are emotions we need to encourage.
5. A flag should represent great design
The Government is committed to best practice design through the Design Industry Task Force. Great design is a feature of New Zealand’s creativity. From the founder of modern industry design practice, Joseph Sinel, through to Lord Of The Rings, our design standards have been world-leading. Our flag needs to match this standard. In today’s environment the current Union Jack-based flag is simply bad design, poorly composed, a muddle of ideas, thematically derivative and unoriginal. Some leading newspaper editorials have called the current flag "an absurdity."
6. A new flag can honour our past
The Silver Fern has been a feature of our iconography for well over a century. The All Blacks made it their official emblem in 1893. It first appeared on an official New Zealand flag in 1908. The Silver Fern was the predominant badge of our army in World War I, and the official insignia of the 2nd New Zealand Division in World War II. Changing from the Union Jack-based flag does not depreciate the sacrifice of men and women soldiers who fought in two world wars. Their efforts are recognised through permanent memorials in every New Zealand town, and through the commemoration of Anzac Day each year.
7. A new flag should say one thing
The job of a flag is to instantly signal the country of origin in the simplest, quickest, most potent manner. This means utilising a single powerful image rather than several elements and thereby diluting the potency of the symbol. There are many mediums for embroidering the layers and textures of our story from a Coat of Arms through to art and music. The job of the flag is visibility, instant recognition and emotional cut-through. Our belief is that the stylised Silver Fern does the strongest job of satisfying the greatest number of New Zealanders at any one time.
8. The times they are a changin’
Symbolic change has been a feature of the governmental environment, with the scrapping of the Privy Council, the establishment of a New Zealand Supreme Court and the abolition of knighthoods. A new flag is not advocacy for New Zealand to become a republic (many commonwealth countries do not have the Union Jack in their flag). A Silver Fern-based flag blends our past, our present and our future into one emotional symbol. A new flag gives energy and a sense of independence and self determination in this new millennium.
Retrieved from http://www.nzflag.com/whychange.cfm
Why We Should Retain Our Existing Flag
- The flag represents the history that makes us uniquely Kiwi. It unites our present with our past and encompasses the heritage that shaped and formed the pioneering and innovative people that we are today.
- With the timeless symbol of the Southern Cross and the blue of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea, our flag celebrates our special connection to the sea and sky and makes it representative of us now and into the future.
- New Zealanders treasure our flag. It will be flown at Gallipoli when we remember the centenary of the Anzac landings, it was featured at the final of the Cricket World Cup and will be held aloft when we contest the Rugby World Cup, it’s displayed on jackets and clothing around the world by people proud to be called Kiwi and will be an iconic symbol when thousands of New Zealanders commemorate this Anzac Day.
- Since 1902 when the New Zealand flag was adopted, our forces have served under it. It’s symbolic of the sacred oath that our forces have made to protect the peace and security of New Zealand. When they have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, our flag has been draped over their casket at military funerals. It is to the flag that we turn to honour their courage, commitment and sacrifice.
- The flag will become particularly meaningful as we commemorate the centenary of the First World War and mark those milestones involving New Zealand forces throughout the four years of conflict from 1914-1918.
- Yes, the flag really matters and, to lose it, is to destroy too much of our Kiwi pride, heritage and identity.
- We believe the $26 million cost is unnecessary and that the funds can be used better elsewhere to improve the lives of New Zealanders.
- Its timing is inappropriate when we are commemorating the centenary of Gallipoli and the battles of the Western Front in the years to follow.
- Because the panel will choose four options to include in the first referendum, there is unlikely to be one clear preference. Therefore a minority choice could be pitted against the existing flag.
- There’s been no march on parliament or loud voices demanding change. With no clamour for either a referendum or new flag, there’s no justification for such a costly exercise.
- If a new flag is chosen, there will be a cost on everyone to purchase a new flag or incorporate its design in their insignia or branding.
- A two-part referendum is unnecessarily complex for many people who, as a result, may not respond to it. A simple yes or no to our existing flag is easier to understand.
Retrieved from https://rsa.org.nz/Community/FightforOurFlag
Throughout my research process I read through the information, to find the key phrases and words that meant the most to me and could be an effective point/perspective to develop for a poster design. Whilst researching, I found that I predominantly came across effective point/perspectives that where for the flag change, where I found that I was more passionate toward this stand point too. This research process advanced me in my project by enabling me to see both sides of the argument, where ultimately I could narrow down which side of the argument I was leaning toward more. From this research process I have come to the conclusion that my poster will represent/persuade Pro flag change.
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