Guiding Principles

In the cabinet paper outlining the New Zealand flag redesign process, nine guiding principles are defined. They aren’t specifically principles to judge the flag design with, however they are suitable to use in critiquing the process.

I would have added a tenth point about excellence: the design must represent the very best of New Zealand culture and creativity.

The following principles should guide the overall process to consider changing the New Zealand Flag. The process should be:

independent: the process is as apolitical as possible, with multi-party support and public input into decision-making;
inclusive: all perspectives are invited and considered from within New Zealand’s diverse communities, including Maori as tangata whenua;
enduring: the outcome (whether change or status quo) is upheld and not revisited for a significant period;
well-informed: the public has access to information to enable it to make decisions;
practical: the process is workable, cost-effective, and implementation is possible;
community-driven: designs and suggestions come from the community;
dignified: the process upholds the importance of the flag as a symbol of our nationhood;
legitimate: all legislative and other requirements are followed; and
consistent with the Crown’s Treaty obligations.

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