I was staggered to hear Labour leader Andrew Little say that he voted to retain the current flag because the proposed new one 'did not represent New Zealand”. The example he gave was 'our Maori people”.

I could not believe my ears! How can that be? Black is the favoured colour of most of our national teams, and frequently occurs in Maori arts and crafts. Blue is the colour of our ocean and sky, both key elements in Maori mythology and the Maori worldview.

The silver fern has been used as a symbol of New Zealand for decades, including on our war graves and as a motif in Maori tattoos, weaving, and carving. The Southern Cross is a constellation indicative of our location in Antipodes and was used by early Maori navigators to bring them to this land.

There is nothing on the new flag that doesn't represent New Zealand. Moreover, we need a flag that is inclusive, not simply representative of one interest group, culture, ethnicity, or sector of society. There are none so blind as those who will not see!

PJ Donnell, Welcome Bay