[Updated: subsequent release 'New flag symbolises a new and inclusive New Zealand' follows.]

Kiwis around the world support Change the NZ Flag campaign

The flag debate has captured the Kiwi spirit and is inspiring everyday New Zealanders around the world to show their pride in the alternative flag design, according to Change the NZ Flag Chairman Lewis Holden.
“We’ve received hundreds of photos and stories from Kiwis around the world who support change. We’ve seen photos of the flag in Sydney, Canberra, Kuwait, and even one body painted on in Costa Rica.

“Our social media campaign has reached over 1.8 million people in the last four weeks, and 81-year old Peter’s message for changing the flag has been seen by 220,000 people on Facebook.”

More and more New Zealanders are showing their support for change, including some of our youngest.

Mr Holden says there’s been a groundswell of support across the length and breadth of society.

“The campaign has serious momentum now and we hope to make history by inspiring more New Zealanders to choose the fern when they cast their votes this month.”

This week the change campaign will be running a small number of television advertisements and distribute over 1000 car flags with the fern and stars.

“The fern is a powerful symbol that’s represented New Zealand for more than a century and is proudly etched on the gravestones of our fallen soldiers abroad.”

To view the Change the NZ Flag video, click here or go to:

https://www.facebook.com/nzflag/videos/10153953357297002/

ENDS

28/2/16: New flag symbolises a new and inclusive New Zealand

Change the NZ Flag Chairman Lewis Holden has shrugged off anti-immigration comments by Winston Peters, claiming the fern and stars flag will help unite the country under a fresh, modern symbol.

Parliament’s elder statesman has said immigrants with New Zealand Residency, but not Citizenship should be excluded from voting in the flag referendum.

“I had hoped Mr Peters would have grown tired of playing the immigrant card. Some people who have residency may have lived in New Zealand for very long periods of time and have legitimate reasons to keep the passport of another country,” Mr Holden said.

“Mr Peters is clearly rattled by the growing support for a contemporary, modern flag to replace a tired old design that belonged to a colonial outpost of the British Empire.

“We don't need to maintain the Union Jack on the New Zealand Flag in the 21st Century. Our country is multicultural, we are not little Britain.

“There have been a range of polls published showing anything from 60% against to neck and neck.

“The key thing to remember is that this is a postal referendum, where voter turnout will ultimately define the results.

“This is about who feels motivated to fill in their postal ballot. Our social media campaign is making a difference, having reached 1.6 million people.”

Kiwis new and old can show their support for the new flag in next month’s referendum, which opens on 3 March.

To view the Change the NZ Flag video, click here or go to:

https://www.facebook.com/nzflag/videos/10153953357297002/

ENDS

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