1 Apr 2016

Fiji flag change process delayed

12:01 pm on 1 April 2016
fiji flag at parliament

Photo: RNZI/ Sally Round

The Fiji government has again delayed the process to replace the country's flag.

It had said it would present five designs chosen through the prime minister's office by the end of March and then the public would have three months to select one.

There has been no explanation what caused the latest delay.

Last year, the prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, abandoned the flag change process after saying a new flag would be hoisted on 10th October, which was the 45th anniversary of independence.

At the time, 23 designs had been selected from more than 1,400 entries.

Under the latest initiative, the new flag is expected to be raised on Constitution Day in September.

Mr Bainimarama said Fiji would remove the Union Jack and replace it with a design that symbolises the Pacific nation and not the former colonial power Britain.

He has ruled out a referendum despite calls for the public to be given a chance to decide.