NZ flag change??? o_O

Prime Minister John Key has indicated a referendum on changing the flag could be held at the same time as this year's election.

The idea has gained support from former Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizzard.

"Our flag and the Australian flag is so often confused for one another and the symbolism of our flag is a bit out-dated," she says.

While Phoenix and All Whites Footballer Ben Sigmund agrees the trans-Tasman flags are too alike.

"Our flag is too much like the Australian flag so John Key I think you should change it mate."

Earlier today, Mr Key said changing the flag is a constitutional issue and while the Government could just make a change, it wouldn't do so without a referendum. 

The referendum would offer New Zealanders the choice of the current flag or an alternative chosen by the Government.

He says he is going to talk to senior ministers but the issue is likely to be "parked".

"I'm not of the view it's likely to become a referendum at this election," he told reporters outside a plastic recycling plant in Lower Hutt today.

He says the public is probably split 50-50 and it is good to have a debate about the issue.

"If you'd asked the question right after the Rugby World Cup it might have been more 60/40 in favour."

United Future leader Peter Dunne is supporting the possibility of a referendum, saying he would like to see the Union Jack removed.

Mana leader Hone Harawira and NZ First leader Winston Peters also said they would support a change, while Maori party co-leader Tariana Turia said she wasn't opposed to the idea.

However, ACT Leader John Banks has rejected the ide a.

"Men fought under that flag and many sacrificed their lives," says Mr Banks.

South Africa changed its flag twice - once in 1926 and once in 1994.   I do not really see a reason for the change of flags in the case of New Zealand and Australia.   They never had the problems a large section of the local community in SA had with the England and the consequences of Apartheid.

Both changes stemmed from historic changes in Government - and there is no reason to my mind to change it - since it is part of the history of New Zealand.

Incidentally Canada changed its flag - but I think it had mo re to do with pacifying the French in Canada (Quebec) than anything else.  

 I'm wit you Sasu.... Key calling for a flag change referendum in an election year might be just a ploy to get more of his voters guaranteed to turn out and vote against it...he himself would probably prefer just adding another star to the Stars and Stripes...

...it's also been said New Zealand's "unique" national identity was forged on the blood-soaked slopes of Gallipoli not to mention the Somme...and the burgeoning numbers commemorating Anzac Day events each year suggest that New Zealanders strongly believe that the past matters.

 ...thats why they're having a referendumb but they like spending millions of taxpayers hard earned dosh on referendums and then completely ignoring the result anyway...

...poll i saw over 50% want to keep it as it is...others want to incorperate the silver fern into the flag somehow...e.g