New Zealand confirms Black fern design as referendum candidate

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35090641

New Zealand flag referendum result: Black fern design wins first round

Black fern design which has won the first stage of the referendum narrowly

New Zealand has confirmed that the black, white and blue silver fern design won a referendum to become a possible new flag, after the final votes were counted. A second referendum will be held in March 2016 to decide whether to adopt the new flag or keep the current one.

The existing New Zealand flag which will face the Black fern design in a March referendum

The design was named as a preliminary winner on Friday but this final tally factors in late and overseas votes. A similar design in red and blue came in a close second. Both flags were designed by architect Kyle Lockwood. About 1.5 million votes were cast in the referendum, with a voter turnout of 49%, said New Zealand's election commission.

The winning design, known officially as Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue), happens to be Prime Minister John Key's pick, and he had earlier expressed delight that it had won in the preliminary tally. New Zealanders were asked to choose which of five designs they preferred.

The referendum has divided opinion in New Zealand over its cost and timing.

The entire exercise is expected to cost around NZ$27m (£12m, $18m). The decision to choose a new flag has been backed by Mr Key, who has said the current one is too similar to Australia's and that it is time to remove the Union Jack from the current flag.

Opponents of the change however argue that the current flag represents New Zealand's British heritage and colonial history.

I'm surprised as I thought the red version of the Black fern would win. But it was very close.

Anywho all polls indicate that in March the existing flag will win the referendum by a large margin.

If you had a vote (or if you do) which flag design would you choose?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Here's the two flags flying side by side (I removed the third option which lost).

[Lewis]

I'd vote for the black fern flag - it's very nice!

[e5]

I like the black fern flag!

[Zak]

I like their new design. Flying together I prefer the existing. History may see the existing prevail.

[CottonCandle]

The original looks too much like the Australian flag. New Zealand is a different country and deserves a different flag.