A screenshot of the options for New Zealand’s new flag.
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Voters will be asked to rank the five alternative flag options, which were shortlisted by a flag referendum panel out of more than 10,000 designs submitted by Kiwis.
John Key, prime minister, has made the reform issue a pet project since his conservative government won a third terms a year ago.
He sees the current flag, which includes to Union Jack in the corner, as an anachronism, and said that the country needs a standard “that screams New Zealand”.
The next round of voting begins in March, when people will choose between the most popular new design, as decided by the first referendum, and the current flag.
The existing flag – with the Union Jack in the top left and four stars representing the Southern Cross constellation against a field of blue, was adopted in 1902 and has flown ever since. Results should come through in December.
An opinion poll conducted in October predicted that a design featuring a white fern on a red and blue background would win the first referendum. The late contender was added to line up following a social media campaign for its inclusion.
He says turnouts are often small in postal votes and more people will likely fill out the second referendum than the first referendum.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, encouraged Kiwis to take “a lifetime opportunity” to have their say in the referendum which runs until December 11.
Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue), by Kyle Lockwood, flies on top of the Wellington Town Hall on October 12, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand.
“We must send an unequivocal message that the first referendum should have asked: ‘Do you want a change of flag?'”.
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However, her power is seen as largely symbolic, with a few considering the monarchy itself a colonial relic.
