Timeline

After a little bit of digging I’ve compiled a timeline of events surrounding the flag redesign process. There are plenty of steps required to redesign a country’s flag, so where possible I’ve summarised and grouped points by month.

To summarise, there is a consultation and legislation phase (to pass law), a design submission phase (to accept submissions), a judging phase (to shortlist designs), an education and advertising phase (to promote the designs / referendum) and a referendum phase (to vote).

2014

October: Cabinet paper submitted.
November: Cross party MP’s group (CPG) and project team (Secretariat) formed.
December: Flag consideration panel nominations submitted.

2015

January: CPG reviews draft bill / legislation.
February: Flag consideration panel announced.
March: Flag referendums bill passes first reading in parliment.
April: Public engagement process is approved.

★ May 4th – August 21st: Design Submissions

May – August: Input from design and Tikanga Maori experts provided.
May – August: Due diligence undertaken on potential designs.
August: Design submissions presented to FCP and Cabinet.
September: Cabinet approves flag designs and referendum ballot.
September – October: Public education campaign encouraging enrolment and advising New Zealanders on flag options.
October – December: Referendum advertising period.

★ November 20th – December 11th: Postal Referendum 1

2016

February – April: Public education campaign continues.
March – April: Referendum advertising period continues.

★ April 1st – April 22nd: Postal Referendum 2

You can see the above timeline in more detail in this appendix on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) website.

The key people and groups involved are the Minister responsible for the project, Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, the Cross Party MP’s Group (CPG), the Flag Consideration Panel (FCP) and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretariat team.

Somewhat less interesting is my timeline and what I’ve been up to! Earlier in the year I left Xero and was fortunately able to time that with watching the Cricket World Cup in March. For most of April I’ve been researching and working on this site, so I’m excited about what I’ve got to share. From May I’ll be posting updates on a more regular basis as the submissions and flag redesign process ramps up.

Until then, you can follow me on Twitter or keep up-to-date with posts via the RSS Feed.