Over the years I have been promoting two related issues, New Zealand becoming a republic, and changing the New Zealand flag away from the present one, which is a hangover from the old colonial days, with a British Union Jack in the corner.
After watching the Olympic coverage I wrote a letter to the New Zealand Herald, which was published in the 11 August edition. It read:
“Does anyone now doubt that New Zealand’s symbol is the silver fern. All our Olympic athletes wore it, and the large stylised fern on the rowers singlets was particularly beautiful. New Zealand spectators joined the party with innumerable fern flags. It is the fern that stirs our emotions, so let’s get on an make it our official flag.”