New Zealand has voted for the silver fern (black, white and blue) design in the first referendum on the New Zealand flag. According to the Electoral Commission there were over one million who voted in the referendum.
The process to change NZ's flag has cost $26 million over a two year period. A second referendum will be held next year where voters will get the opportunity to pick between the winning alternative flag design and the current flag. The cost of the project has caused debate among the people on the streets of Rotorua.
Thomas Reid says, “I just reckon just stay with the original one our ancestors fought for it. I just don't think there is a need for a change a lot of money wasted could of went on something else but if that's the way it's going to be I suppose.”
The second referendum on the New Zealand flag will be held from 3-24 March 2016.