By Rebecca Fox
2 December 2004
Amy Anderson's belief New Zealand needs a new flag won her a place in the final of a national essay competition.
NZFlag.com Trust, established to encourage New Zealanders to change the national
flag, recently invited year 9 and 10 pupils to state their case for a new banner,
Amy (14), a Columba College pupil, was judged Otago-Southland winner and, with
seven other finalists, went forward to the national final.
The competition was judged by actress Dame Kate Harcourt, children's author Joy Cowley, editor Kate Coughlan, Timaru writer Owen Marshall and author Alan Duff.
"I was really shocked," she said.
Amy's argument for a new flag was based on a need for the country's Maori heritage to be recognised, that the present flag is too similar to that of Australia and that New Zealand's unique wildlife also needed to be recognised.
"We are a distinct nation and I think we deserve a distinct flag. Our flag should represent New Zealand and its people."
She believed a new New Zealand flag should incorporate, in some way, the silver fern.
"It is much more distinctive. I believe it is time to let go of the past and move on."
The national competition was won by Wellington-Wairarapa representative Emma Cody, of Wellington Girls College.
Otago Daily Times
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