Key ditches NZ flag referendum in 2014 

NEW Zealanders won't get a chance to vote to change the nation's flag this year.

Prime Minister John Key says there won't be a referendum on changing New Zealand's flag at September's general election, but if National is re-elected the public will have their say in the next parliamentary term.
Mr Key raised the prospect of a referendum in January, saying he personally favoured changing the flag to a black one with a silver fern on it, but in a speech at Victoria University on Tuesday, he put it on hold.

Instead, he announced plans for a public discussion about the flag, which would kick off after the election.
A cross-party group of MPs would oversee the flag consideration process and recommend the best way to hold a referendum.
The cross-party group would also nominate New Zealanders from outside parliament to form a steering group responsible for ensuring public engagement.
"It's really important that consideration of a new flag includes genuine input from New Zealanders. All voices need an opportunity to be heard.
"A flag that unites all New Zealanders should be selected by all New Zealanders. This decision is bigger than party politics," he said.
Mr Key said he would like the referendum process to be completed during the next parliamentary term, so it does not intrude on the 2017 elections.
The Electoral Commission said earlier this year it would be very difficult to organise a referendum to coincide with the election - and at that time it wasn't expected to be held as early as September.
It would also cut short the time to debate whether there should be a change, and if so what the options would be.
Mr Key had said there should be a simple option of keeping the current flag or changing to an alternative chosen by the government - but since he first raised the issue there's been opposition to that idea.
Surveys have shown most voters aren't keen on changing the flag, and a strong majority don't think there should be only one alternative chosen by the government.

source-www.news.com