New Zealand is moving forward with a vote of whether or not to remove the Union Jack from its national flag.
The flag depicts the star constellation Southern Cross. The Union Jack, the national flag of the United Kingdom, is shown on the flag's upper left corner. Critics say the flag is outdated, a reminder of when New Zealand belonged to the British Empire, the Associated Press reported.
"The flag remains dominated by the Union Jack in a way that we ourselves are no longer dominated by the United Kingdom," New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Tuesday when he announced an upcoming referendum to change the flag, the AP reported.
Key said the referendum will be held in the next three years.
"We should be represented by a flag that is distinctly New Zealand's" Key said, according to the AP.
Key suggested the current flag be replaced with a silver fern with a black background, which would represent the nation's sports teams, the AP reported. But opponents to that suggestion say it puts too much emphasis on sports and resembles a pirate symbol. Another suggestion is that the new flag should represent the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Those who served in the military want the flag to stay the same. The flag represents over a century of tradition, Don McIver, president of the Returned and Services Association, said according to the AP.
"The view of the RSA is there is no need to change the flag," McIver said. "Thirty-two thousand New Zealanders have given their lives under the flag and many more thousands have served under it in a combat environment."
Key said if they do change the flag, it does not mean they are breaking constitutional ties with the British monarchy or its membership in the Commonwealth, the AP reported.
According to recent opinion polls, it's difficult to tell if most people are in favor of or against a flag change.
Flagmakers national sales manager Victor Gizzi told the AP that the split lies between the older and younger generation.
"Older people tend to want the status quo," Gizzi said.
