New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Smiles After the General Election in Auckland.
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key smiles after the general election in Auckland November 26, 2011. Reuters/Stringer

After a resounding victory in the elections, New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key has taken up the new agenda of changing the country's flag as the next big priority. He is mulling a referendum next year to decide on it. John Key wants the country to assert its identity that is independent of the colonial Britain. The PM is keen to settle the whole matter in the next one year, reported Reuters.

Key wanted the flag to be the subject of a debate to find an alternative and then putting that up against the current flag. Key told the Radio Live network that he was for a change and a lot of strong arguments are in favour of a change. Key wanted a flag that is uniquely New Zealand in character but recognised worldwide.

New Design

Key said he would prefer a new flag featuring the national plant, a silver fern, with a black background. The current flag features the British Union Jack in the top-left corner with four red stars of the Southern Cross on a blue background. There is also criticism that bears strong resemblance to the Australian flag.

A poll held in February this year, showed a vast majority of 72 per cent New Zealanders, urging to retain the current flag. Retired soldiers are very vocal against any change saying it would disrespect those who fought and died defending the flag. Many Kiwi sports teams are already competing under a silver fern motif and the national carrier Air New Zealand also puts that on the aircraft tails.

Uniquely New Zealand

Key has a persistent in articulating his thoughts on a new a flag that is uniquely New Zealand in character. He wants a flag that is instantly recognisable something on the lines of the maple leaf that is distinctly Canadian.

The existing flag was first used in 1869 and adopted in 1902. The loyalists of the flag argue that thousands of New Zealanders have fought and died under this flag and a change will be demeaning to their memory. Despite pitching for a new flag, Mr. Key has maintained that he would seek good ties with the British monarchy.