Get out and vote for the flag -- RSA

  • 25/02/2016
Get out and vote for the flag -- RSA

The Returned Services Association (RSA) is encouraging New Zealanders to get out and vote in the upcoming flag referendum, regardless of what option they choose.

Voting in the second round of the referendum opens on March 3, after Kyle Lockwood's Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) was chosen as the official option to compete with the current flag design.

"Every New Zealander who is eligible to vote should exercise their right to do so," says RSA national president BJ Clark.

"The RSA continues to support the current flag but we respect the many different views held by New Zealanders. Democracy, freedom of choice and freedom of speech is what many of our members, past and present, have fought for."

A Newshub Reid Research poll earlier this month showed a majority of Kiwis were opposed to changing the motif, though since then a number of high profile New Zealanders, such as Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, have come out in support of the new flag.

Mr Clark says choosing a flag should be a personal choice.

"We are disappointed others are using celebrities, in an attempt to coerce and influence people's decisions. We trust that, from the third of March, every New Zealander makes the choice that is right for them."

Voting ends on March 24.

Newshub.