Sunday, February 05, 2012
   
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Symbols of Nationality

Our symbols of nationality help define us as a group of people with shared, diverse histories and a joint future. They are also our global brand, an important way our people, values and products can be identified everywhere in the world. They should represent what we mean when we say “I’m proud to be a Kiwi”.

It is time to consider the structure of our state. Should Queen Elizabeth the Second be our last overseas-resident head of state? I think so. We should begin the preparatory work now on the changes required to our constitutional structure, so that there is a smooth transition when the time comes.

I believe now is also an opportune time to reconsider how well our national symbols fulfil these roles. Do they continue to define where we have come from and where we are headed? Do they convey the distinctiveness of our culture and our areas of excellence and expertise? Do they effectively communicate our values to the rest of the world? I do not think that our flag, our coat of arms and our other symbols of nationality match our national sense of identity any longer. We need to begin to re-imagine them.
Labour Spokesperson for Justice
Labour Spokesperson for the Environment

Labour List MP Based in Ohariu
Authorised by Charles Chauvel, 103 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville