With late and overseas votes still outstanding, it appears that Kyle Lockwood’s black variant has beaten the same designer’s red variant into second place.
Voter turnout was 48 per cent, reflecting the interest in this issue among New Zealanders.
Following an official announcement next Tuesday, the winning flag will face the current New Zealand flag in the second round of the referendum next March.
Author: Alex Crouch (Flag Institute accredited journalist, 2015/16)
I have a friend in New Zealand who kindly sent the leaflet which was sent out to households explaining the process and illustrating the choice of 5 flag designs. The process has cost a lot of money and may still result in no change when final voting occurs in March. Each to their own but I preferred Lockwood’s red, white and blue version. This looks a little dark to say the least. Currently, at key locations throughout NZ both the current flag and the new design are being flown together to help the nation make their choice in March. I have photos of the two flags at one such location
Although I understand the concern about confusion between the NZ and AUS and I appreciate the thoughtful designs, I believe that nations that change their national symbols are in great peril of changing their national identity. Are Kiwis that distant from their Commonwealth brothers that they would discard the Union Jack? Why not replace the red stars? They smack of red communism. 💡 Why not replace them with a Kiwi (bird) or another indigenous animal? Perhaps the outline of the islands themselves? What about red field with white stars, or even a black field with white stars? Were I in the same boat, I would favor crossing an axe, a bow and a sword or even the outline of a hobbit instead of most of the designs out there.
And David Kerry, I wonder indeed at the lack of concern over a disappearance of Her Majesty from your national currency. It signals a fundamental shift in your country and an omen for the Commonwealth. But then again, I’m a yankee, and a Scotch-Irish one at that. What would I know? 😉
haha… what would you know, calling yourself “Scotch”-Irish. Oh my! Robbie Burns would be twirling in his grave if he could hear you saying Scotch as an ethnicity. Scots, sweetheart, Scots.
Can anyone confirm the oldest established flag for a country is the Scottish Saltire?