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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/01/new-zealand-announces-final-shortlist-for-new-flag-design-live

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New Zealand announces final shortlist for new flag design – live New Zealand announces final shortlist for new flag design – live
(35 minutes later)
11.57pm BST23:57
The Vortex flag and the final shot of the shower scene in Psycho. Uncanny. pic.twitter.com/bEMPjN4HYM
11.56pm BST23:56
Allowing for the fact that New Zealanders on Twitter are not representative of New Zealanders as a whole, the reaction to the shortlisted four is overwhelmingly negative. There seems to be a sense that an opportunity was squandered and the population wasn’t listened to.
The flag consideration panel did not consult with the public on either its longlist of 40 (39, if you disregard the one that breached copyright!) published two months ago, or the shortlist of four just announced.
Has this entire process just been one long elaborate practical joke? That's the only way to explain the #NZflag shortlist. Utterly awful
What a farce that was. Money well spent, huh guys? #nzflag
I actually want a new flag. Shame they squandered that opportunity #nzflag
We should have just gone with "We love the All Blacks" in comic sans with a smiley face emoji #NZFlag
Still, every cloud:
the only thing to look forward to is @iamjohnoliver's reaction #nzflag
Updated at 12.00am BST
11.47pm BST23:47
The final four: same, same, bit different
These are the final four flags that New Zealanders will be asked to rank in a postal referendum later this year. As far as I am aware, “none of the above” will not be an option, despite clear calls for it from Twitter commentators.
Here are the official images showing the final four flag referendum choices in flight: #nzflag pic.twitter.com/2MOasBbia2
The preferred fern design (let’s be real here) will then be deemed the “preferred alternative”. Early next year, the public will vote whether they’d rather it or the current flag they know and love (or, at least, now newly appreciate).
Here they are flying in all their glory. Or, lack thereof #nzflag pic.twitter.com/QskRdoRqxd
Updated at 11.48pm BST
11.42pm BST23:42
The flag consideration panel was appointed to represent “everyday New Zealanders” – was this in the back of their mind when they made their decision?
At least people with Southern Cross tattoos have a 50/50 chance of not removing them. #nzflag pic.twitter.com/wK3iBNTJSt
11.40pm BST23:40
What could have been.
Damn, was really rooting for this guy #NZFlag pic.twitter.com/EnFIDLexFG
11.40pm BST23:40
So, the final four: a fern, a fern, a fern and a koru.
This seems to sum up the response of New Zealanders to the shortlist on Twitter.
Hhhhhhhnnnnnnggggghhhh #nzflag
It could be fatigue with the drawn-out process, it could be displeasure with having been given a choice between three ferns, but people aren’t happy.
I hope to God that there is an option in the first referendum to choose 'none of the above'. Those designs are disgusting. #NZflag
My issue with a black and white #nzflag is that's the color of the pirates and isis flags.
Not impressed. #nzflag
Can you feeeeeeeeeeeeeel the democracy and transparency, folks? #nzflag
Maybe instead of listening to masses & giving us what we wanted, the panel should have given us what we needed? #nzflag
WHY DID THEY CHOOSE THE BUDGET SPORTS APPAREL FERN FOR THE TOP 4? NZ I am very disappointed in you. #nzflag
Those who want to keep the current flag will be feeling more relaxed now after the release of the mediocre top 4. #nzflag
WHERE'S YOUR DESIGN GOD NOW?
11.33pm BST23:33
Aaaaaaaaand: here they are.
The top four new flag designs have been unveiled. Check them out. pic.twitter.com/1eF0UP99zO
11.31pm BST23:31
Here’s the third option.
The 3rd alternative #nzflag pic.twitter.com/ssMWlnOj8m
Given that prime minister John Key has been unequivocal about his preference for a silver fern design, it seems reasonable to assume that this is the one of the shortlisted four that he doesn’t prefer to the current flag.
11.29pm BST23:29
The first two of the final four flags have been unveiled – unfurled? – by the deputy prime minister, Bill English. So far: two silver ferns!
First of the four flag designs announced #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Xhyl3eKFkE
Second of the four final flag designs. Silver Fern ratio currently at 1/2 #nzflag pic.twitter.com/OUQp39By8T
This prediction is shaping up to be on the money.
Updated at 11.45pm BST
11.26pm BST23:26
Here's the flag consideration panel. Still to find out which flags they've picked pic.twitter.com/2oqcyrHzpd
Members of the flag consideration panel are waiting for the deputy prime minister, Bill English, to announce their decision.
The makeup of this panel has been one of the most contentious points of the process to change the flag, the fact that there’s not a graphic designer or vexillologist among them in particular.
The 12 people were chosen to represent New Zealanders “from all walks of life, age and experience” by a cross-party group of MPs in late February.
Updated at 11.58pm BST
11.10pm BST23:1011.10pm BST23:10
The final four are being picked from all but one of the 40 designs that made the panel’s longlist in August. One design was made ineligible after it was found to have been in breach of copyright. You had one job …The final four are being picked from all but one of the 40 designs that made the panel’s longlist in August. One design was made ineligible after it was found to have been in breach of copyright. You had one job …
The #nzflag longlist of 40 was reduced to 39 after this design was found to breach copyright https://t.co/dBhOuk4qzJ pic.twitter.com/MEnABWoavdThe #nzflag longlist of 40 was reduced to 39 after this design was found to breach copyright https://t.co/dBhOuk4qzJ pic.twitter.com/MEnABWoavd
11.06pm BST23:0611.06pm BST23:06
New Zealand Twitter, which is disproportionately journalists andcommunications professionals, is playing along at home with flagbingo.New Zealand Twitter, which is disproportionately journalists andcommunications professionals, is playing along at home with flagbingo.
Flag bingo: Here are my guesses for the four flags which will be announced as the finalists: pic.twitter.com/kJHFyIB1whFlag bingo: Here are my guesses for the four flags which will be announced as the finalists: pic.twitter.com/kJHFyIB1wh
uninformed guess at the four the flag panel will pick for the shortlist tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/hgRjzl3FiVuninformed guess at the four the flag panel will pick for the shortlist tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/hgRjzl3FiV
It’s not about which flag you want anymore. It’s about who can bestguess the hivemind of the flag consideration panel.It’s not about which flag you want anymore. It’s about who can bestguess the hivemind of the flag consideration panel.
Here's the final flag shortlist! Choose option A, B, C or D. #NZflag #vexiLOLogy pic.twitter.com/PWBEvKRsItHere's the final flag shortlist! Choose option A, B, C or D. #NZflag #vexiLOLogy pic.twitter.com/PWBEvKRsIt
11.02pm BST23:0211.02pm BST23:02
New Zealand’s hunt for a new flag has been observed with interest by the rest of the world and this morning the government-appointed flag consideration panel of 12 people will announce their shortlist of four designs.New Zealand’s hunt for a new flag has been observed with interest by the rest of the world and this morning the government-appointed flag consideration panel of 12 people will announce their shortlist of four designs.
Before the end of the year, the New Zealand public will be rank these four designs in the first of two public referendums – this one will determine a preferred alternative, while the next, early next year, will pit that against the current pairing of the Union Jack and the Southern Cross.Before the end of the year, the New Zealand public will be rank these four designs in the first of two public referendums – this one will determine a preferred alternative, while the next, early next year, will pit that against the current pairing of the Union Jack and the Southern Cross.
So, after all this expense and lively debate about nationhood, there’s a chance that New Zealand won’t end up with a new flag at all.So, after all this expense and lively debate about nationhood, there’s a chance that New Zealand won’t end up with a new flag at all.
But that’s putting the cart before the kiwi-with-laser-eyes – which, unfortunately, won’t be appearing on the shortlist of four this morning. The panel published its longlist of 40 designs only two months ago – prompting the world’s media to mourn what could have been (man on a bicycle! deranged cat!) and to start taking the debate seriously.But that’s putting the cart before the kiwi-with-laser-eyes – which, unfortunately, won’t be appearing on the shortlist of four this morning. The panel published its longlist of 40 designs only two months ago – prompting the world’s media to mourn what could have been (man on a bicycle! deranged cat!) and to start taking the debate seriously.
The prime minister John Key – his preference is for a silver fern flag, if not necessarily on black (because, you know, Isis) – has said that three of the four would be an improvement on the current flag. But the New Zealand public – eventually by referendum, inititally on Twitter – will be the judge of that.The prime minister John Key – his preference is for a silver fern flag, if not necessarily on black (because, you know, Isis) – has said that three of the four would be an improvement on the current flag. But the New Zealand public – eventually by referendum, inititally on Twitter – will be the judge of that.
Keep up with the decision and the reaction here, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.Keep up with the decision and the reaction here, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Updated at 11.08pm BSTUpdated at 11.08pm BST