By Ishaan Tharoor
This weekend, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key secured his third term in power after his center-right party won an increased majority in parliament. Key, a popular premier credited with steering the country through the global financial crisis, withstood the challenges of a slew of parties, including an eye-catching intervention by controversial Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom, who beamed in via video link Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden at an Auckland event last week.
New Zealand, instead, opted for more of the same. But that doesn't necessarily mean big changes aren't on the way.
Key suggested Monday that he wants to hold a referendum next year on the design of the country's flag. The current design, which has been in use since the 19th century, has four stars on a blue field — the Southern Cross constellation — with a Union Jack in its canton. It's a symbol shared with Australia, a fellow Commonwealth nation that also keeps the British Queen as head of state.
"I want to get on with it. To me, I'd like to do it in 2015," said Key, referring to the project of remaking the country's flag. "I'd like to complete the whole process next year. I don't think it's one of those things we should hang around with forever."
The "thing" Key refers to is a mark of a colonial identity. News of Key's mooted flag referendum comes just days after Scotland staged a vote on the question of its independence from Britain. The "No" camp won, but the angst surrounding the waning allure of British identity -- which is also wrapped up in Britain's imperial legacy -- remains.
What would a new New Zealand flag look like? The New Zealand Herald features a range of user-submitted designs. Popular choices include the silver fern on a black field identified with the country's sports teams, as well as designs that take into account the insignia of New Zealand's indigenous Maori tribes.
The issue of flag change engendered debate this year. But only a minority of Kiwis, according to a February poll, want to see their national flag change.
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