Titled the Display of Flags (Government Premises) Bill, the proposed legislation would apply to Crown buildings, local government properties, and state schools.
Under the bill, only the official New Zealand flag would be permitted, with limited exceptions for foreign flags displayed during official diplomatic or state visits.
“Government buildings are for all New Zealanders and should not be hijacked to force cultural, woke, or divisive political ideology down the throats of others,” Peters said in a statement. “This legislation would ban symbols and flags of politically motivated ideology and division from being displayed on government buildings.”
The bill includes provisions to establish offences for unauthorised flag displays or failures by institutions to enforce the rules.
New Zealand First says the bill is about ensuring unity and consistency in how the country presents itself through its public institutions.
“New Zealand First believes in one country, one people, one flag,” Peters said. “This is about protecting our national identity, national pride, and keeping our government buildings free from political activism.”
The bill is likely to spark debate over free expression, cultural representation, and the role of public institutions in reflecting New Zealand’s diversity. It will need to be drawn from the Member’s Bill ballot before it can proceed to Parliament for debate.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
Under the bill, only the official New Zealand flag would be permitted, with limited exceptions for foreign flags displayed during official diplomatic or state visits.
“Government buildings are for all New Zealanders and should not be hijacked to force cultural, woke, or divisive political ideology down the throats of others,” Peters said in a statement. “This legislation would ban symbols and flags of politically motivated ideology and division from being displayed on government buildings.”
The bill includes provisions to establish offences for unauthorised flag displays or failures by institutions to enforce the rules.
New Zealand First says the bill is about ensuring unity and consistency in how the country presents itself through its public institutions.
“New Zealand First believes in one country, one people, one flag,” Peters said. “This is about protecting our national identity, national pride, and keeping our government buildings free from political activism.”
The bill is likely to spark debate over free expression, cultural representation, and the role of public institutions in reflecting New Zealand’s diversity. It will need to be drawn from the Member’s Bill ballot before it can proceed to Parliament for debate.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
5 comments:
Classic diversion tactics from Winston. When there’s lots of noise about an instance of treaty compliance clauses in s127 of the education and training bill - i.e. in direct contravention of NZ First policy in the coalition agreement. NZ First should be championing the removal of s127, not sliding it across to Goldsmith and into National’s ineffectual hands. So what does Winnie actually do about it? He all but ignores the s127 ruckus and introduces a flag sideshow. Just how stupid does he think we are?
The flying of Maori flags clearly says that the people running that institution are biased and woke
.
At least their flags show us who are the revolutionaries .
if the hideous sybolism of the black, white, red insurgency flag were constantly emphasised we should see the end of it. Black surfing in triunphntly on the back of white, over a sea of blood.
Typical media . The suggestion is NOT a Bill . It is Not even in the biscuit tin awaiting being drawn by chance . If the article was about getting Coalition Party support and introduce to Parliament, the NZ thinking population would whole heartedly support the possible Bill.
Agree with anon@9-35. Just another Winston sideshow, instead of pursuing the important issues. He really is starting to lose it
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