New Zealand PM, John Key, announces there will be two binding POSTAL referendums (voting is not compulsory) on the new flag minus the Union Jack. The first one is to be held at the end of 2015 to choose a preferred design from among those selected by a panel of “respected New Zealanders”. Hopefully, there will be some artists among them. The second vote will be held in early 2016 as a contest between the design winner from the first referendum and the current flag. All political parties will have one representative on the committee overseeing the process. NZ’s first flag was chosen by an assembly of Maori chiefs in 1834. [“Clashing with the sunset”, The Economist,1 November 2014/ABC News online 28 October 2014]. NZ even published the Cabinet papers (see link below). WfaAR is astounded. This is the way to get change, Australia please note.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
