New Zealand's possible new flag features fern and stars

By Nabina

Published: 03:02 pm Dec 11, 2015

This combination of undated illustrations provided by the New Zealand Government shows two flag designs; Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue), top, and Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue), bottom, both by Kyle Lockwood, which New Zealanders are considering as a possible new national flag. New Zealanders have chosen a design for a possible new national flag with preliminary results from a postal ballot announced Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, with the results too close to call between two flags featuring the country's iconic silver fern sitting next to the stars that make up the Southern Cross constellation, but using different colors. The winner will be announced Tuesday once all votes are counted. The flag will then be pitted head-to-head against the current flag in a second vote to be held in March. Photo: AP

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: New Zealanders have chosen a design for a possible new national flag that features the country's iconic silver fern sitting next to the four stars that make up the Southern Cross constellation. Preliminary results from a postal ballot were announced Friday with the results too close to call between two flags that feature the same design but with different colors. The winner will be announced Tuesday once all late votes and postal votes are counted. But that will not mark the end of the process. Whichever flag wins Tuesday will then be pitted head-to-head against the current flag in a second vote to be held in March.

The winning design has similarities to the current flag. It retains the four red stars representing the Southern Cross 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 tea

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New Zealand's possible new flag features fern and stars