The top four alternate flag options have been unveiled in Wellington.

 They are black and white fern by Alofi Kanter, Red White and Blue by Kyle Lockwood, Black Koru by Andrew Fyfe and Silver Fern, Black white and blue also by Kyle Lockwood.

 The polls indicate a majority don't want a bar of this flag referendum but I suspect some of the anti is political. A lot feel this flag project is the Prime Ministers legacy project. Well, if people don't want a new flag they will reject it won't they.

My view has always been - its time to change the flag - simply, the Union Jack is no longer relevant to modern NZ.  Ditto for the Monarchy. A flag is more than a logo...its supposed to tell a story of a nation... of our history.

 The final four were predictable - three flags incorporating the silver fern and the fourth a koru.

 My gut feeling is that there should be a Maori element in the flag but I doubt the koru is going to make the cut, the silver fern in some shape or form is a dead cert.

 To be blunt.....the fact is... folk don't want anything Maori in the flag for a bunch or reasons but to cite some recent examples - a Maori claim over greater Auckland, and a claim at the Waitangi Tribunal that its the Crowns fault that a high percentage of Maori are in prison and re-offend.

Ordinary Kiwi's have had a enough of Maori treaty settlements and separatism talk. They are over the Maori blame game.

 This is a shame in many respects because the history of this nation is indelibly Maori. You cannot erase history. Why would we want to ? 

The silver fern though is etched in our history.... it has been our national symbol....its recognised the world over...I can live with it.

 It just depends on which flag we choose.

 The polls suggest...the silver fern, black, white and blue design.