New Zealand reaches for stars

NEW Zealanders have chosen a design for a possible new national flag as the country considers dropping Britain’s Union Jack from its official banner.

Preliminary results from a postal ballot were announced on Friday and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, once all late votes and postal votes are counted.

The new flag — which features the country’s iconic silver fern on a black-and-blue background next to the stars that make up the Southern Cross constellation — will be pitted against the current flag in March in a final vote.

New Zealanders were choosing between five options for an alternative flag. Two of the favourites were created by designer Kyle Lockwood, including the top vote-winner.

Many in New Zealand consider the current flag to be outdated and too similar to Australia’s flag. But others are eager to keep it, with some viewing the process as an expensive stunt. Prime Minister John Key has made the flag reform issue a pet project since his conservative government won a third term late last year.

He sees the current flag, with the Union Jack in the corner, as an anachronism, arguing the country needs a standard “that screams New Zealand”. — ©