Winston Peters, the acting prime minister of New Zealand has accused Australia of “copying” the New Zealand flag.
Peters – well-known for his blunt rhetoric – is demanding that Australia change its flag because it is too similar, reports The Guardian.
“We had a flag that we’ve had for a long time, copied by Australia, and they should actually change their flag and honour the fact that we got there first with this design, being decided by a prime minister and his legacy,” Peters said.
A poll administered by the New Zealand Herald found 62% of respondents supported Peters’ call for Australia to change its flag.
According to The Guardian, this is not the first time Peters has called on Australia to come up with a new flag design, arguing in a 2016 opinion piece that New Zealand’s flag should be restored to its “unique” status.
The New Zealand and Australian flags bear a striking resemblance, with both featuring a royal blue background, a union jack in the left-hand corner, and the Southern Cross.
The New Zealand flag is 50 years older than Australia’s and was adopted in 1902. The Australian flag was adopted in 1954.
Both the Australian and New Zealand flags are based on the British blue ensign.
The two flags have sometimes been mixed up on public occasions. Earlier this year the nine network used a graphic of the New Zealand flag during Australia Day coverage, while the Australian and New Zealand flags were mistakenly switched during a medal presentation at the Rio Olympics.
