Support for new flag gaining momentum

The gap is closing between those who support a new flag and those who want to keep the current one, according to a recent poll.

Change the NZ Flag Chairman Lewis Holden says a poll of 1000 people earlier this month showed 36 per cent of people support changing the flag while 56 per cent want to keep the current one.

“Support for changing the flag is definitely increasing, while support for the existing one is softening,” Mr Holden said.

Support for the new flag has increased from 25% last September [1] to 36% this month. Meanwhile, support for the old flag has dropped from 69% to 56%.

“This shows New Zealanders are starting to embrace the new flag design because it’s more representative of our nation.”

In the first referendum, over 1.1 million New Zealanders voted for the two fern designs and that number is expected to grow in the second referendum.

“In our view, a higher turnout in the postal ballot will improve the chance for change.”

Mr Holden said the second flag referendum next month provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for change.

He said the Curia Research poll from 28th January to 2nd February showed support for the new design was growing.

“People are thinking carefully about what’s best for New Zealand and there’s a mood for change emerging. Feedback shows the main reason for change is preference for the new design and differentiation from Australia’sflag.”

It is still early days but the trend is pointing in a positive direction for the Change the NZ Flag initiative.

The organisation is working on an exciting online campaign to promote the merits of the new flag and to encourage people to vote for change.

“We’ve got some exciting developments over the coming days and weeks, where people will see the benefits of a unique New Zealand identity that’s different to Australia’s and any other flag.

“We have an opportunity to stamp our own mark on the world, while also respecting our rich and proud heritage. The new flag provides that opportunity.”

Ends

Note to editors

Curia Research conducted the poll of 1000 eligible voters (from a selection of 15,000 nationwide phone numbers) from 28 January to Tuesday 2 February 2016. The results are weighted to reflect the overall voting adult population in terms of gender, age, deprivation and area. The maximum sampling error (for a result of 50%) is +/- 3.2%, at the 95% confidence level.

[1] 3 News Reid Research poll of 1000 eligible voters, September 8 to 16.

Curia Poll: Flag_Poll_Results_February_2016.pdf

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