Why doesn't the New Zealand flag cut it? Why does it need changing? And why should we look to Canada, a country which spent more than $300 million on a new flag, for inspiration and resolution on this testy issue?

Because NZ is enduring exactly the same pain Canada experienced 50 years ago and we can learn from it, according to Tauranga's John Hepburn.

John Hepburn with his 'unfussy, unmistakeable distinctive” flag.

'The New Zealand flag doesn't work simply because it is not distinctive, is not unmistakably New Zealand,” says John.

He's been mulling the concept of a new flag for 15 years, has some acquired wisdom on the subject and believes his own flag design could be the answer.

'Not only is our flag easily confused with the Australian flag, its prime feature, the Union Jack, is the flag of another country – which means nothing to many New Zealanders,” he adds.

'On the other hand the Canadian flag is distinctive, stands out, is unmistakably Canadian with its iconic maple leaf and cannot be confused with the flag of any other country.”

And John says he experienced first-hand the emotional attachment to the Canadian flag during 30 years living in that country.

'The maple leaf flies from every flagstaff,” he adds. 'It's the source of great loyalty, patriotism and pride.”

John's a patriot too. He designed a new flag and tried to make it an election issue in 1999 by standing as an independent candidate in Tauranga. The electorate didn't buy it. 'There were other more important issues at the time,” he says.

Of course the flag is again an issue here in NZ – and there are distinct and painful parallels with Canada.

'But we can learn a lot from their experience,” says John.

Like in NZ, John says choosing a new flag in Canada caused a huge divide in both public and political opinion.

'Especially over whether it should ditch the Union Jack, minimising ties to the United Kingdom,” he says.

'A poll showed most Canadians preferred a maple leaf to a Union Jack.”

It pre-occupied a nation of 30 million-plus people for more than five years.

They couldn't agree on a design, parliament was ordered to stay in session during summer to get it resolved and it became a political platform; a committee was appointed to deal with the design and debate had to be constitutionally suspended.

Democracy and a new flag didn't come cheaply or easily.

'By the time I left Canada in 1993,” says John, 'they'd spent $45 million [more than $300m in today's terms] on the new flag and another $20m-$30m establishing February 15 each year as the National Flag Day of Canada.

'But they got a new flag – a wonderful new flag. Arguably the best we have to acknowledge.”