New Zealand has chosen a new flag design as a contender to replace its current emblem, according to CNN. The new flag was decided upon in a nationwide referendum and announced officially on Tuesday.
The new emblem was designed by Kyle Lockwood, who described the flag as representing New Zealand's "peaceful, multicultural society, a single fern spreading upwards representing one people growing onward into the future," according to CNN.
"The bright blue represents our clear atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean, over which all New Zealanders, or their ancestors, crossed to get here," he said.
The new Silver Fern design was chosen in a referendum that attracted a voter turnout of 49 percent, with 1.5 million votes cast, according to the New Zealand election commission. A survey carried out in November, however, shows that between 60 and 70 percent of voters prefer the existing flag, with many New Zealanders expressing disdain or disinterest in the change, according to The New York Times.
"We have one-sixth of eligible voters deciding what flag we should have", retired accountant Richard Still said according to The New York Times, "It is the tail wagging the dog."
There has also been some controversy over the cost of the project, which is expected to cost the equivalent of $18 million, according to the BBC.
Prime Minister John Key expressed enthusiasm for the new flag and has consistently backed the project, claiming that the current flag is too similar to that of Australia and that it is time to remove the Union Jack from New Zealand's flag, according to the BBC.
"That's the national symbol of New Zealand - that's what we're known by," he said in an interview on the topic, according to CNN. "The reason why I support the change of a flag is simply because we will wear it, use it and promote it more. It's therefore all about national pride and recognition of our country and showing the world how great we think New Zealand is."
