Final results of a referendum on the Dominion of New Zealand’s flag show 56.6% voted for no change while 43.1% opted for the new design. Just over 2,1m ballots were cast.
Prime Minister John Key had advocated the new flag after launching the process in 2014, nevertheless, called upon New Zealanders to embrace the people’s decision.
The existing design features the British Union Jack, a legacy of New Zealand’s days as a British Crown colony and the reason many longed to change it.
The proposed new design combined four red stars representing the Southern Cross constellation (also seen in the current flag) with a silver fern on a blue background with black infill in the corner; both motifs commonly associated with New Zealand and its famous rugby team. The Silver Fern was chosen in the first referendum last December from a shortlist of five candidates.
Total cost of referendum process came up to NZ$26m ($17m, £12m)
For more information:
Mission of New Zealand to the EU and NATO, Embassy to Sweden, H. E. Ambassador David Taylor: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/belgium/new-zealand-embassy/david-taylor/
Embassy of New Zealand to The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Mission to the OPCW, H. E. Ambassador Janet Lowe: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/netherlands/new-zealand-embassy/
Embassy of New Zealand to Belgium, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania, H. E. Ambassador Paula Wilson: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/belgium/#Embassies
