The flag; the item of cloth that we use to identify us around the world. The item of patriotism and recognition of our country on a world stage.

Our Government thinks it does not represent us and I agree with them.

I am 14 years old and I am ineligible to vote in the referendum, therefore my opinion will not be officially recognised even though I am capable of making an appropriate decision regarding the matter. But fair enough, because not many 14-year-olds would be thinking about politics in their spare time.

I am most likely in the minority with this issue, but I believe that we should change our flag. Our current flag does not represent us.

I am sure many of you reading this are now sighing and thinking that it does. It doesn't. Our current flag consists of a blue background with the Union Jack and the Southern Cross. The Union Jack represents Britain and the Commonwealth, not our country itself and the Southern Cross can be seen everywhere in the southern hemisphere and it is not purely identifiable to New Zealand. Nothing in that flag represents us by ourselves.

There are some very common arguments to this, most of which are invalid. The most common one that you hear is that soldiers died for our flag. Our armed forces did not die for a flag in combat. They died for us and our country. They died to keep the country a fully democratic society, free from all war and dictatorship. That's why our country is near the top of the Global Peace Index as the fourth most peaceful country in the world.

The flag was present some of the time during our conflicts but ultimately, we fought for Britain. When soldiers died, they were draped in the Union Jack, not the New Zealand flag and on all of their gravestones is a Silver Fern.

Another common argument is that it costs too much. Twenty-six million is what the Government estimated it would cost for the referendum. There was massive public disbelief and people said to just change the flag without a referendum. The Government couldn't do this because our country would no longer have the great democratic reputation that we have.

People have also said they won't vote because it costs too much, which is absurd. The money is already paid, done and dusted so by not voting, you are just wasting money that you are unhappy about already.

READ MORE:

* The flag debate: Full coverage

* Red Peak will cost $380,000 to go on ballot

* Low support for New Zealand flag change

* Koru flag designer calls for unity with new flag

I really like the controversial Red Peak design, that was recently passed into the referendum as a fifth option. I believe that this flag would look better on a world stage than other flags, and represents parts of New Zealand more than the other options. Flags need to be simple and the other designs seem rather complicated and crowded.

Ultimately, my opinion does not count in this referendum, but younger people should to talk to adults and get them engaged in the issue. I am attempting to do that as it's the only way for me to have my opinion heard.

I care about the future of the country and getting my small voice heard from the bottom of the pile.