There’s lots of debate about whether we should even be spending money on deciding whether to change the flag, never mind what the proposed new one should look like. But among the more than 1,200 submissions, we’ve found a few budding designers who think we should add a dash of rainbow to our national ensign. eNZign Designed by: Richard Aslett from Manawatu-Wanganui The designer says: I feel “eNZign” would make a good flag for NZ, as if change is necessary, we need to be bold, different and stand out; Yet still relate to the peoples, land, waters and skies of Aotearoa. “eNZing” came about due to every year on Waitangi Day the debate would arise about our National Flag. The idea was to formulate a design that would incorporate relevant elements and introduce much needed colour (as opposed to the usual drab designs doing the rounds), drawing on foundations from the past, yet combining the modern, presented with a fresh new-millennium approach. Originally painted onto a large canvas in 2007, and long since sold (aptly to a buyer from Waitangi), all proceeds went equally to local, national and international charities. The “eNZign” Flag draws on three familiar insignia designs; the traditional "Southern Cross" stars, the more recent Tino Rangatiratanga, and the ever popular "sporting" NZ Silver Fern; Yet also incorporates a Rainbow of colours to represent all genders, religious, political, and sexual orientations, plus the new and many differing races and cultures of peoples now inhabiting our Pacific paradise of Godzone, NZ, Aotearoa… All combined in one uniting, binding, Koru frond. Rainbow Jacqui Stanford - 19th May 2015