Referendums in New Zealand

...

On the other hand, a binding referendum on this matter is likely to re-engage the voters who are disillusioned with the political processes and spark their interest to vote. Newman (2014) notes that, in the 2011 election, the voter turnout was seventy-four percent - the lowest turnout for more than one century. Seven percent of those who did not vote cited reasons concerning their vote not making a difference. Once voters are sure that the outcome will be binding on the government, they can start to view political processes like choosing the new flag design as worth participating in.

It is not worth gathering opinions on a matter that has been controversial for decades. Many would say that the current national flag has “stood the test of time” since it has been used to demonstrate the unity of New Zealand people for a long time (Chapman, 2005). Trying to change the design may not be accepted easily by the present generation, whereas others would argue for a change in the design as the current flag does not demonstrate a new, independent nation and is also similar, in some aspects, to the Australian flag. It would be a waste of time and money to carry out a non-binding referendum on the controversial issue. Gathering people’s opinions on the national flag, something that spawns a lot of interest from different facets has occurred over the past few years as people come up with different flag designs. After all, their opinions are likely to remain just that, opinions, should a non-binding referendum be held. Owing to the inconsistencies of a non-binding referendum, and the benefits that can be realized from a binding referendum on a new national flag, the binding referendum is the most suitable electoral process for choosing a new national flag.

A referendum is an electoral process that allows people to air their views regarding public policy. It can be binding or non-binding. In a serious matter as choosing a new national flag, a binding referendum would suffice; the voters would be assured that the electoral process would culminate in the implementation of their opinions. Therefore, the New Zealand government needs to consider calling for a binding referendum as to choose a new flag. The referendum will not only garner people’s thoughts and perspectives, but will also lead to the adoption of a new flag design or retaining of the current one.

References

Chapman, P. (2005, January 28). Campaigners want British link removed from New Zealand flag. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/1482248/Campaigners-want-British-link-removed-from-New-Zealand-flag.html

Electoral Commission. (2014). Referenda. Retrieved from http://www.elections.org.nz/voting-system/referenda

Ministry of Justice. (n.d). Part 1: Referendum process options. Retrieved from http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/r/regulatory-impact-statement-considering-changing-the-new-zealand-flag/part-1-referendum-process-options#status

New Zealand Parliament. (n.d). Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand: Chapter 41 referendums. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/how-parliament-works/ppnz/00HOOOCPPNZ_411/chapter-41-referendums

Newman, M. (2014). Concerns emerge over binding citizens referenda. Retrieved from http://www.nzcpr.com/concerns-emerge-over-binding-citizens-referenda/

Select Committee on the Constitution. (2010). Referendums in the United Kingdom. Retrieved from http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldselect/ldconst/99/99.pdf