Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

Polls are showing that the National government has completely misread public opinion in pushing to change the New Zealand flag. The most recent poll has shown 69 per cent of people do not want to change the flag and only 25 per cent might.

The flag change was the whim of the Prime Minister who wants it as his legacy. He's looking so feeble on the subject now he is trying to blame opposition parties. His illogical explanation on Radio New Zealand on Monday morning was laughable.

New Zealand First made a submission against the change; we did not join the multi-party select committee and we have stated from the start that if the referendum did proceed the question on the first ballot should be: 'Do you want to change the flag?” With the first referendum still going ahead we say write 'Keep Our Flag”, or 'KOF”, on the ballot paper and return it.

That may lead to an overwhelming number of informal votes. If that is the case there should be a decision made to end the process altogether.