Tuesday 25 January 2005

NZFlag.com Trust Petition Launch At Parliament

A number of prominent New Zealanders are taking to the streets today in support of the campaign to change the New Zealand flag, as the petition is officially launched at Parliament.

Former Governor General Dame Cath Tizard, Sports Broadcaster Keith Quinn, NZ Stock Exchange CEO Mark Weldon, Actor/Broadcaster Dame Kate Harcourt, World Champion squash player Dame Susan Devoy and former All Black Captain Graham Mourie are lending their weight to the campaign.

Before they take to the streets to collect signatures, Wellington based endorsers will gather in front of Parliament for a signing ceremony flanked by a number of flags, which members of the public have designed and suggested as alternatives to the current design.

Their signatures will be the first of 300,000 which the campaign intends to deliver to Parliament by May 2005. NZFlag.com Trust spokeswoman Jo Coughlan said that petitions will be circulating nationwide.

"Four hundred volunteers around New Zealand have agreed to collect signatures, but more volunteers are needed. We hope to have around 1,000 volunteers on the streets collecting signatures for a referendum to change the design of the flag next year. "

The campaign needs 300,000 signatures by May, so the question "Should the design of the New Zealand flag be changed?" can be put to New Zealanders at this year's general election.

"Changing the flag will be a defining moment in New Zealand's history. We need as many people collecting signatures as possible. People wanting to sign the petition can download forms from www.nzflag.com Volunteers can contact info@nzflag.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media