Millie's reflection (:

Hey Otarama,
Well this week i have been working on my debating speech (and Samara's and Bella's...) So here is a sneak peek at what I've got so far!

NEW ZEALAND NEEDS A NEW FLAG!!!!

NZflag.com states that New Zealand is an independent dominion and says the Māori race was the original inhabitants but is largely forgotten. One of these reasons is because of our countries flag. It does not symbolise New Zealand as an independent country. It forgets to highlight our multicultural image and lacks in individuality. Therefore New Zealand’s flag MUST change.

But before I continue I need to correct the negative team’s misgivings.

Rebuttal...

The flag was invented to symbolise its chosen country in a way that is easily recognisable. New Zealand’s flag is not. The silver fern is most likely New Zealand’s most common icon. It represents National organisations and sports teams such as: All Blacks, Inter islander, Kiwi rail, NZ army, Silver fern farms, Air New Zealand, Age concern, DOC, Silver ferns, Ministry of health and Radio NZ. If the New Zealand flag was included in this list we would start to be recognised for what our culture really is. New Zealand needs a new symbol of our country because we need to showcase easily recognisable kiwi icons.

When you think of the Union Jack, you probably think about Britain, Australia or the other 21 counties with the Union Jack on their flags. New Zealand tends to fade in the background. This needs to change. In early 2010, John Key publicly backed the silver fern flag as a replacement for the national flag. New Zealand has been an independent country since 1907. So our flag should be independent too. This is why the new Zealand flag needs to change.

New Zealand is known as a multicultural country. The most common of these cultures include Maori and the European Pakeha. So it is logical to include these cultures in our international symbol, the New Zealand flag. The opposition may argue we already have the union jack in our current flag, which represents Britain. But it is atrocious that we are, as an independent country, ignoring our Maori heritage. New Zealand’s flag needs to change for the sake of our Maori race image.

The job of a flag is to instantly signal the country of origin in a simple and quick manner. The New Zealand flag does not. This means we need to project a single powerful emblem that screams New Zealand. A silver fern flag will blend our past, present and future into one emotional symbol, while being a quickly recognisable icon. New Zealand needs a new flag that stirs the heart and focuses the mind. Therefore our current flag MUST be modified.

It is time for a change New Zealand. We need to be instantly recognised as an individual country. By the end of my teams debate you will be agreeing with Helen Clark, Jenny Shipley, John Key, Valerie Adams and MANY other kiwi’s. Our flag needs to change for the sake of our country’s identity.

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P.S I have changed a little bit at school but I can't remember it so I will tell you the finshed speech when I can (:

Posted by Millie