Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Christian Citizenship (New Zealand)
1. Describe the national, state or provincial, AY, Pathfinder, and Christian flags.
[edit | edit source]The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted before New Zealand became a British colony. Chosen by an assembly of Maori chiefs in 1834, the flag was of a St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1841, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for restricted use in 1869 and became the national flag in 1902. It is the British Blue Ensign, incorporating a stylised representation of the Southern Cross showing the four brightest stars in the constellation. Each star varies slightly in size. The Union Flag in the canton recalls New Zealand's colonial ties to Britain. The flag proportion is 1:2 and the colours are red (Pantone 186C), blue (Pantone 280C) and white.[ Proportion and colours are identical to the Union Flag.
AY Flag: The background is red and white, red symbolizing the blood of Christ and white representing purity. In the centre, there is a logo that has AY which means Adventist Youth and it has three angels meaning the 3 angels message. Pathfinder Flag: The Pathfinder flag is made from one of several materials, cotton bunting, rayon, or nylon. The flag is divided through the centre both vertically and horizontally making four equal parts. The background colours are royal blue and white alternately sewed together with the upper left hand corner being royal blue. The Pathfinder emblem is cantered in the heart of the background. The colours are descriptive of the purposes and ideals of Pathfindering. White means purity, blue means loyalty, red reminds us of the shed blood of Christ (sacrifice), and gold means excellence. The symbols also have meanings. The shield is the protection of God, the sword is his word, the Bible, and the triangle represents completeness. Completeness of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and completeness of the three parts of education (Mental, Physical, and Spiritual)
Pathfinder Flag: The Pathfinder flag is made from one of several materials, cotton bunting, rayon, or nylon. The flag is divided through the centre both vertically and horizontally making four equal parts. The background colours are royal blue and white alternately sewed together with the upper left hand corner being royal blue. The Pathfinder emblem is cantered in the heart of the background. The colours are descriptive of the purposes and ideals of Pathfindering. White means purity, blue means loyalty, red reminds us of the shed blood of Christ (sacrifice), and gold means excellence. The symbols also have meanings. The shield is the protection of God, the sword is his word, the Bible, and the triangle represents completeness. Completeness of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and completeness of the three parts of education (Mental, Physical, and Spiritual)
Christian Flag: The "Christian Flag" is a white flag with a blue canton and a red cross in it. It was designed by Charles Overton in 1897 to represent Protestants of all denominations. The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ
Regional Flags of New Zealand. Several years ago NZ was divided into Provinces having limited jurisdiction. Most had no proper recognized flags. Recently NZ has been divided into 16 environmental areas. The councils governing them are free to change their corporate image so the idea of a regional flag has been mostly superseded by a regional logo. This appears on all official publications and a flag of the logo or something similar may fly at their central office and other regional events. The following are possibly the current ones in 2012, but are subject to change. They have no national significance only local. They are in order from the top of NZ to the South.
Pictures to follow.
2. Know how to display the national flag with two other flags under the following situations
[edit | edit source]a. Camp out/Camporee
b. Fair
c. Pathfinder Day program
d. Parade
When marching with only one row of flags, the NZ flag is always on the right end of the row (that is as viewed from the column following behind the flags). When marching with multiple rows of flags, the NZ flag is always to be in the front row. The NZ flag is also alone in the first row. The NZ flag will be in the front row leading the column from the center position of the row. The NZ flag should never be dipped as a sign of respect to a dignitary. The Pathfinder flag, AY flag, Christian flag and state flags are dipped when the "eyes right" command is given, but the NZ flag should be held vertically. For displaying the flag in other situations (Camporee, Fair, etc.), see the flag protocol guidelines below. This web site is very helpful for all situations. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
3. Demonstrate how to fold and salute your national flag. Mention when and how it should be displayed.
[edit | edit source]1. Have two people stand on either end of the flag, holding a corner in each hand. 2. Fold the flag in half twice, length-wise. 3. Beginning at the striped end, fold one corner into the opposite side of the flag, forming a triangle. 4. Repeat this triangular folding until only a small strip of the star field shows. 5. Tuck this strip into the triangle. Be sure to keep the flag from touching the ground while folding. Please note it is folded differently when preparing to raise un-broken on a pole Fold in half length way, then half, then half. Fold in half width way, then concertina and wrap rope around caught in a loop ready to pull with the lower mast rope.
NZ Flag Protocol Flag protocol defines the proper placement, handling and use of flags. Some countries have added certain protocols into their law system while others prefer to have "guidelines" without civil or criminal consequences attached.
General Guidelines General guidelines are accepted practically universally. Much of the flag protocol is derived from common sense. That is, using it as a table cover or wrapping paper are inappropriate uses. It should be treated with respect. Many countries consider signing a flag disrespectful, adding a border would be more appropriate. Pinning or sewing items to a flag would also be ill advised.
On a Mast or Pole Except when flown with Royal or Vive-Regal flags the NZ flag should be that of most honour. The flag of honor, that is the nation's flag in most cases, is flown on the center mast if possible. It is also correct to fly the flag on its own right. To an observer it would be on the far left. If more than three flags are used, the proper position is as far left from the point of view of an observer. An additional flag may be placed on the right side, but is not necessary. When two poles are crossed, the position of honor is the flag that ends on the left side from the point of view of an observer (the pole will therefore end on the right). In a semicircle, the position of honor is the center. If a full circle is used outside an entrance to an arena or stadium, the position of honor is directly opposite the entrance. If used to line the walls of the arena, the flag should be placed directly opposite the entrance. At times of National Mourning the flag is lowered to half mast. National flag is also lowered to half mast when at a funeral where the Returned Services Association (RSA) are involved. The country leader does not have to authorize a half mast flag. The rules are reasonably relaxed. When this happens other flags should not be displayed above the national Flag A flag hung upside down signifies distress.
Hanging When flown horizontally, as from a flag pole, the flag should be oriented so that the canton is closest to the top of the pole. If hung against a wall, the canton should be placed in the upper-left corner from the point of view of the observer. When hung vertically, flags should be rotated so the canton is again closest to the top of the pole. If the flag is displayed against a wall, the canton should again appear in the upper-left corner, which incidentally requires that the flag be both rotated and 'flipped' from its horizontal orientation.
Other places On a vehicle the flag should be affixed securely to the front right of the chassis. When placed with a podium or at a place of worship the flag should be hang directly behind or on a pole to the right of the speaker, from the point of view of the speaker. When carried in single file the flag of honor leads. Multiple flags When flags of many nations are flown the flag of the hosting country should be placed on the left with the rest following in alphabetical order using the language of the host country. Saluting the New Zealand Flag A proper NZ salute by all; in uniform or civilian
4. Explain the meaning of and reason for the National Anthem, and recite the words from memory.
[edit | edit source]"God Defend New Zealand" was written as a poem in the 1870s by Irish-born, Victorian-raised immigrant Thomas Bracken of Dunedin A competition to compose music for the poem was held in 1876 by The Saturday Advertiser and judged by three prominent Melbourne musicians, with a prize of ten guineas. The winner of the competition was the Tasmanian-born John Joseph Woods of Lawrence, New Zealand who composed the melody in a single sitting the evening after finding out about the competition. The song was first performed at the Queen's Theatre, Princes Street, Dunedin, on Christmas Day, 1876. The song became increasingly popular during the 19th century and early 20th century, and in 1940 the New Zealand government bought the copyright and made it New Zealand's national hymn in time for that year's centennial celebrations. While being used as New Zealand's national anthem at the British Empire Games from 1950 onward, it was first officially used at the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich. Following the performance at the Munich games, a campaign began to have the song adopted as the national anthem. In May 1973 a remit to change the New Zealand Flag, declare a New Zealand republic and change the national anthem from God Save the Queen was voted down by the Labour Party at their national conference. In 1976 a petition was presented to Parliament asking God Defend New Zealand to be made the national anthem, and, with the permission of Queen Elizabeth II, it became the country's second national anthem on 21 November 1977, on equal standing with "God Save the Queen". Up until then "God Save the Queen" was New Zealand's national anthem. Across the Tasman, Australia ran a plebiscite about their national song in May 1977, and adopted "Advance Australia Fair" in 1984. An alternative official arrangement for massed singing by Maxwell Fernie was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Allan Highet on 1 June 1978.
English verse: "God Defend New Zealand" only the first verse is sung; usually in English then Maori
God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.
Māori verse: "Aotearoa"
E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta
whakarangona; Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai Aotearoa
Translation of Māori version
O Lord, God, of all people Listen to us, Cherish us May good flourish, May your blessings flow. Defend Aotearoa
5. Give the rights and responsibilities of a citizen of your country.
[edit | edit source]Becoming a New Zealand citizen means you will undertake responsibilities and you will enjoy the same privileges of a person born in New Zealand. You must be aware of these responsibilities and privileges.
Responsibilities • To obey and promote the laws of New Zealand (this includes registration as a voter and fulfilment of tax obligations). • Not to act in a way that is against the interests of New Zealand. Privileges • The right to enter and remain in New Zealand at any time without an immigration permit. • The right to a New Zealand passport (which entitles holders to visa-free travel to a range of countries). • The ability to seek assistance from New Zealand diplomatic representatives when travelling overseas. • Full economic rights: o Some public service positions may only be held by New Zealand citizens; o Ownership of rural land is difficult for people who are not New Zealand citizens. • Full access to education: o Only New Zealand citizens qualify for some subsidised fees, scholarships and awards. In addition, only New Zealand citizens may qualify for financial assistance from some overseas universities. • Access to international sport: o Some sports require that international players are citizens of the country they represent.
6. Have an interview with a local, regional, or national official of your country, and learn about his duties.
[edit | edit source]It is generally easier to get a local official to agree to an interview, though it is often more exciting to interview a more prominent person. The interview can be accomplished during a club meeting, and multiple Pathfinders can ask questions. Invite your guest well ahead of time, and make sure everyone in the club is on time. A visit by an official would be a very good reason to have everyone in the club wear their class A uniforms. If desired, you can make up several questions ahead of time, writing them on index cards, and distributing them to the members of your club. But do not be so rigid as to not allow them to ask spontaneous questions. Having questions prepared ahead of time on index cards are a good way to get things rolling. Here are some suggested questions: • Could you describe a typical day at work? • What is the most difficult part of your job? • What is the most satisfying aspect of your job? • To whom do you report? • How did you get your position? Were you elected, appointed, or hired? • How should a young person prepare for a life of public service?
7. Write a one-page essay or give a two-minute oral report about a famous person in your country. Mention what he has done to gain his recognition.
[edit | edit source]This would be an excellent opportunity to present a worship during the opening exercises of a regular club meeting. Encourage your Pathfinder to choose a person they are personally interested in. If they cannot think of anyone themselves, have a list of suggested persons at hand and encourage them to choose from the list. Famous people might be historical figures, politicians, actors, sports stars, or anyone else. It would be preferable to choose a person who has been a positive influence on the country. Although the requirement asks that you "mention what he has done to gain his recognition," this should not be interpreted as excluding women. Men are not the only famous people in a country.
8. Do one of the following
[edit | edit source]a. Make a list of ten famous quotations from leaders of your country. Sorry I do not know of any. Have to google it.
b. Make a list of ten famous historic places in your country. Suggested answers • One Tree Hill. Auckland . Maori pa (fort). • Auckland War Memorial Museum. • Government House, Newton Wellington. • Mission House, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands • Pompalliar House, Russell, Bay of Islands • Treaty House, Waitangi, Bay of Islands • Stone Store, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. Oldest stone building in NZ • Mona Vale, Riccarton, Christchurch. • The Bee Hive, Wellington. Parliamentary building. • Larnach Castle, Dunedin. • Grafton Bridge, Auckland. Largest concrete span bridge of the time.
c. Make a list of ten famous historic events in your country. Suggested answers • Treaty of Waitangi signed 6 February 1840 • Waihine sinking, Wellington harbour 10 April 1968 • Erebus air crash. Fight to Antarctica.28 November 1979 • Maori wars ended. possibly 1864 • Separate government from NSW 1841 • Pink and White terraces disappear in volcanic eruption 1886 • Natural gas. Taranaki 1970 • Mount Cook Climbed 1894 (Clarke,Graham,Fyfe) • Edmond Hillary climbs Mt Everest 1953 • Tangiwai trail disaster. 23 December 1953
9. Describe what you can do as a citizen to help your church and country.
[edit | edit source]The best way to help either your church or your country is by getting involved. Edmund Burke, an English philosopher summed this up when he said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." In your church, this means that you will show up for services on a regular basis. It also means you will support it with your tithes and offering, show up for business meetings, and not wait to be asked before you volunteer your services. If you see something that needs done, do it. If you do not have the skill to do it, or you think that you need permission first, talk to your pastor, an elder, deacon, or deaconess. Find your ministry! For your country, it is much the same. Show up for public meetings, stay informed about the issues of the day, vote if you are eligible, and pay your taxes fairly and promptly.
10. Go through the steps of an individual acquiring citizenship in the country and learn how this is done.
[edit | edit source]Four ways of becoming a citizen There are four main ways in which you can become a New Zealand citizen:
• Citizenship by birth in New Zealand o You are a NZ citizen if you were born here before 1 January 2006. o If you are born here on or after 1 January 2006 you are a citizen only if at least one parent is, at the time of the birth, a NZ citizen or permanent resident, or a permanent resident of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau (unless you would otherwise be stateless). • Citizenship by descent o You are a NZ citizen if you are born overseas to a mother or father who is a NZ citizen otherwise than by descent (or if a mother or father is a NZ citizen by descent and you would otherwise by stateless). • Adoption o You are a NZ citizen if you are legally adopted by a NZ citizen. • Citizenship by grant o You can apply to the NZ government for it to grant you citizenship. The Act governing citizenship is the CITIZENSHIP ACT 1977. How do I apply for a grant of citizenship? You will need to apply to the NZ Citizenship Office of the Department of Internal Affairs. There is an application fee: to check for the latest fees, visit the Internal Affairs website at www.dia.govt.nz (under "Citizenship applications"). You will need to provide the following documents in your application: • a birth certificate • a marriage certificate or a marriage dissolution order if this is applicable • evidence of any formal name changes • the passport or documents with which you entered New Zealand You will need to have an interview with a representative from Internal Affairs. The application will normally take five to eight months to process. You will be sent a letter informing you of the outcome of your application. What criteria do I have to meet to be granted citizenship? The criteria you need to meet for a successful application are that you: • are at least 16 years old • are entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely under the IMMIGRATION ACT 1987 (in practice, this means you must hold a residence permit) • have been in New Zealand, with an entitlement to be here indefinitely, for at least 1,350 days during the five years before your application, and for at least 240 days in each of those five years • are of good character • have knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of New Zealand citizenship • have sufficient knowledge of the English language, and • intend to continue to be ordinarily resident in New Zealand if you are granted citizenship (there are some exceptions to this) The second of these requirements, that you're entitled to be in New Zealand indefinitely, can be waived if you're entitled to live indefinitely in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. The third requirement, specifying minimum periods for having been in NZ over the last five years, can be waived if you meet those requirements in relation to the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau. Citizenship ceremony If your application for citizenship is successful, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony and take an oath or affirmation in English. Registering your citizenship by descent If you were born overseas to a New Zealand parent, and are therefore a citizen by descent, you can apply for your citizenship to be registered. You will then receive a certificate of registration. This certificate will provide evidence of your citizenship for purposes such as applying for a passport: Under the law before 10 December 2001, your citizenship by descent lapsed if you didn’t register your citizenship before your twenty-fourth birthday. That law has now been abolished; the new laws also state that if your citizenship lapsed under this old law, it is reinstated with effect from the date on which it lapsed. Can I have dual citizenship? Dual citizenship is available in New Zealand. But whether or not it is applicable in your particular case will depend on the law of the other country concerned. In rare cases a grant of dual citizenship may be lost if you give false or misleading information or if you concealed important facts when applying for it. Cautionary notes • If your application is declined you may ask Internal Affairs to reconsider. If this is not successful, you should seek legal advice. A lawyer will inform you of your chances for seeking a review of the official decision in the High Court.
11. Know how to explain the process of government in your country.
[edit | edit source]New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, although its constitution is not codified. Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state.[ The Queen is represented by the Governor-General, whom she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor-General can exercise the Crown's prerogative powers (such as reviewing cases of injustice and making appointments of Cabinet ministers, ambassadors and other key public officials) and in rare situations, the reserve powers (the power to dismiss a Prime Minister, dissolve Parliament or refuse the Royal Assent of a bill into law). The powers of the Queen and the Governor-General are limited by constitutional constraints and they cannot normally be exercised without the advice of Cabinet. The Parliament of New Zealand holds legislative power and consists of the Sovereign (represented by the Governor-General) and the House of Representatives. It also included an upper house, the Legislative Council, until this was abolished in 1950. The supremacy of the House over the Sovereign was established in England by the Bill of Rights 1689 and has been ratified as law in New Zealand. The House of Representatives is democratically elected and a Government is formed from the party or coalition with the majority of seats. If no majority is formed a minority government can be formed if support from other parties during confidence and supply votes is assured. The Governor-General appoints ministers under advice from the Prime Minister, who is by convention the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or coalition. Cabinet, formed by ministers and led by the Prime Minister, is the highest policy-making body in government and responsible for deciding significant government actions. By convention, members of cabinet are bound by collective responsibility to decisions made by cabinet. Judges and judicial officers are appointed non-politically and under strict rules regarding tenure to help maintain constitutional independence from the government. This theoretically allows the judiciary to interpret the law based solely on the legislation enacted by Parliament without other influences on their decisions. The Privy Council in London was the country's final court of appeal until 2004, when it was replaced with the newly established Supreme Court of New Zealand. The judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice includes the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and subordinate courts. Almost all parliamentary general elections between 1853 and 1996 were held under the first past the post voting system. The elections since 1930 have been dominated by two political parties, National and Labour. Since 1996, a form of proportional representation called Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) has been used. Under the MMP system each person has two votes; one is for the seventy electoral seats (including seven reserved for Maori), and the other is for a party. The remaining fifty seats are assigned so that representation in parliament reflects the party vote, although a party has to win one electoral seat or 5 percent of the total party vote before it is eligible for these seats. Between March 2005 and August 2006 New Zealand became the only country in the world in which all the highest offices in the land (Head of State, Governor-General, Prime Minister, Speaker and Chief Justice) were occupied simultaneously by women.
The region is the top tier of local government in New Zealand. There are 16 regions of New Zealand. Eleven are governed by an elected regional council, while five are governed by territorial authorities (the second tier of local government) which also perform the functions of a regional council and thus are known as unitary authorities. The Chatham Islands Council is similar to a unitary authority, but is authorized under its own enabling legislation. Executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. Queen Elizabeth II is the country's head of state and is represented by a Governor-General. The Queen's Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau (a dependent territory); the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing but in free association); and the Ross Dependency, New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica. New Zealand is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Commonwealth of Nations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pacific Islands Forum, and the United Nations.
12. Explain the meaning of this statement Jesus made in Matthew 22:21
[edit | edit source]"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.
This verse teaches that governmental authority is to be respected, as long as it does not conflict with the moral obligations of being a Christian. Government serves a holy purpose; preserving social order, promoting the well-being of its citizens, and protecting their safety. If you believe that this does not apply today because you see the government as corrupt, you are urged to research the Roman government of the first century A.D. when these words were spoken by Jesus. Was Herod corrupt? Was Pilate just?
13. Explain why laws are established in your country.
[edit | edit source]Treaty document of New Zealand. New Zealand law system follows closely that of England. Laws to protect and treat fairly in the rights, ownership and beliefs of all peoples of New Zealand with a special understanding of the indigenous peoples. Although the debate of how fair still continues.