Terms Of Reference

Over the last few weeks several questions have been floated about how the Flag Consideration Panel will be reviewing the designs and what their responsibilities will be.

When submissions have been excluded from the gallery on the flag.govt.nz site, email responses refer to the “terms of reference” the panel will be using. From what I can tell the “terms of reference” they are referring to are the “guiding principles” in the original cabinet paper appendix. I’ve previously posted a summary of the Guiding Principles, but thought it timely to provide a bit more detail.

Interestingly there is a section about the approach the panel can take.

The research may include the following approaches (within the available budget):

1. surveying;
   
2. commissioning a design agency to create a range of potential designs, and promulgating these for public feedback; and
   
3. commissioning legal assistance to complete domestic and international due diligence on the suitability and availability of proposed designs.

I don’t recall seeing the note about “commissioning a design agency” the first time I reviewed the cabinet papers. This is rather fascinating and I’d love to hear if a design company has been approached. Let me know if you have…

Also in the appendix is a section outlining the responsibilities of the panel and the requirements for their report.

The FCP’s report is expected to include the following:

1. a summary of the processes used to engage with the public;
   
2. any common themes in designs and suggestions from the public;
   
3. any common design elements in flag designs submitted by the public;
   
4. discussion of the process by which the group has narrowed down the selection of alternative designs;
   
5. description of the work the FCP has undertaken to ensure the alternative designs meet accepted design standards and that there are no legal or other impediments to their use;
   
6. recommendations for a reasonable number (5-6) of alternative designs for inclusion in a referendum, together with the current New Zealand Flag.

I can’t wait to see that report and what they determine are “common themes” and what submissions will “meet accepted design standards”.

— http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/publications/nzflag-process-cabinet-paper-october2014.pdf