New Zealand picks new flag design to challenge current flag

Wellington, December 15

New Zealanders chose a new flag design today but the question now is whether enough people will rally behind it to oust the current flag.

Final results from a postal ballot were announced. The winning design features a silver fern and red stars on a black and blue background. The new design will now go head-to-head against the current flag in a national vote in March.

The winning design has similarities to the current flag but ditches the British Union Jack in favor of the fern, which has become a national symbol and is worn by many sports teams, including the beloved All Blacks rugby team.

New Zealanders earlier submitted more than 10,000 designs as they contemplated a change in their national symbol. — AP