Fiji: Ditching a colonial symbol

Fiji is getting a new flag for its 45th birthday. Why?

"Fiji intends to the lead the way by adopting a truly authentic expression of who we are and where we are, rather than honour someone else's flag," [Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama] said in a speech.

[...]

"The Union Flag belongs to the British, not to us.

"The shield on our flag has the British Lion and the Cross of St George – a British patron saint. What does this have to do with us?

"They are the symbols of the coloniser – Britain – a country with whom we are friends and will continue to be so. But they are not symbols that are relevant to any Fijian in the 21st century."

Which is pretty much why we need to change ours. The Union jack is British, not kiwi - a sign of an oppressive colonial past. The sooner we're rid of it, the better.