A trip over the divy to Ngaruawahia will be needed by Raglanders wanting to see the flag options. WDC has just announced that it is flying the flags at its Ngaruawahia HQ.
I asked WDC: “Does Council have any plans to fly the flags on its Raglan office?”
A spokesperson advised: “To fly the flags the Flag Consideration Panel has been quite specific in requiring a registered site to be able to fly the flags together. Basically it means there need to be two flag poles side by side. The Ngaruawahia office is the only council building where that is possible. You’ll see a register of other places where flags are being flown on the Panel’s website (see media release below).”
Up until 2014, the Raglan council building had two flagpoles on it with 2 flags flown every day. During the renovation work done that year on the building, the flagpoles were taken down. They weren’t put back after the building was reopened. So now no flags ever fly at the Raglan council building.
Media Release: Waikato District Council, 13 January 2016
Flying flags in communities
Both the current and proposed alternate Kyle Lockwood-designed silver fern flags are flying outside Waikato District Council’s Ngaruawahia office.
They are on display as part of the nationwide Flag Consideration Project and in the lead up to the final referendum on the New Zealand flag which takes place in March.
District Council Chief Executive, Gavin Ion says the Council does not have a view on the issue but flying the flags is an important part of the overall democratic process for the general public.
“Up until now the proposed options have been largely paper-based and one-dimensional for the public. Flying the flags means members of our communities can see them and make an informed choice on New Zealand’s flag in the March referendum.”
Members of the public are asked to give feedback on the flags which will fly at Ngaruawahia, and at other registered sites, through to the second flag referendum which takes place between 3 and 24 March.
More information on registered sites, giving feedback and voting for New Zealand’s flag has been provided by the Flag Consideration Panel and may be found at www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/more-information/
The flag that gets the most votes in the 3 – 24 March voting period will be New Zealand’s official flag.