I may be wrong but . . . . I believe race relations in New Zealand would gain a huge boost if moves to allow the flying a Maori flag alongside the current NZ ensign were bypassed by simply adopting a new singular flag that is agreeable to all races and cultures in this country.
I am of the camp that believes that, representing tangata whenua, Maori symbolism should in principle be equally displayed in ceremonies along with the current English-based flag. Why not? It doesn’t threaten me or any well-adjusted, open-minded pakeha. I recognise the value added to this country by both cultures and heritages, along with others added via other immigrants over the past 170 years.
When I put my mind to it, I also intuitively feel that the current flag – apart from looking embarrassingly similar to Australia’s – represents a dominant culture, and that while this seems totally appropriate to the pakeha majority, to the indigenous minority it represents a subtle reinforcement and continuation of past subjugation or marginalisation.
Now I’m sure that for many readers, this comment reflects yet another example of a pakeha liberal on a guilt trip trying to make amends for injustices wrought by his ancestors. Not so. I want what’s right. And it’s not right that one of the two cultures on which New Zealand is based (and indeed chronologically the first one) has over many years been marginalised and patronised from a great height, and that now any attempt to gain parity of influence is seen as separatist, inverted racism and just plain cheek.
Yes, we are one country and should only need one flag. But that flag should represent all citizens, not just the culture which became dominant through often oppressive actions past. The problem for us pakeha often is that we assume that the institutions and symbols we have set in place – including the English-based flag with its Southern Cross nod to our antipodean location – are there by mutual consent, whereas in fact they were placed there by our European forebears as a sign of benevolent conquest, probably with very little if any consultation with the Treaty partner.
Around the world, dominant cultures are often unable to see that to their minority culture partners this is an ongoing statement of supposed superiority or pre-eminence.
Unfortunately, I think that choosing a flag to represent Maori in ceremonial settings alongside the current New Zealand flag may only prolong and exacerbate angst and anger over our differences.
Over the past decade or so there has been occasional debate about replacing the NZ flag with something more suitable for our proud young nation in this unique geographic location. Trouble has been, so far the marketing folk have run the debate as they try to find a design which, like a product logo, will help sell NZ in a global marketplace.
We need a new flag that represents our pride and uniqueness. Try as I may, I cannot go past the silver fern on black background. It is now commonplace and widely accepted at sporting and other events at which we are represented. It is neither pakeha nor Maori (nor Asian for that matter). It is of the land and the spirit.
Some critics say that to the uninitiated it looks like a feather (implying surrender?). But Canada’s striking and unique maple leaf flag does not cause any concerns to people lacking knowledge of that country’s native flora. I say go the silver fern.
Right on, David!