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| New Zealand begins voting in flag referendum | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Voting has begun in New Zealand in a referendum which could see the country getting a new national flag. | Voting has begun in New Zealand in a referendum which could see the country getting a new national flag. |
| New Zealanders have just under a month to send in a postal ballot on which of five potential new flags they prefer. | New Zealanders have just under a month to send in a postal ballot on which of five potential new flags they prefer. |
| A second vote in 2016 will ask whether they want to replace the existing flag, which features the UK's Union Jack, with the new design. | A second vote in 2016 will ask whether they want to replace the existing flag, which features the UK's Union Jack, with the new design. |
| Prime Minister John Key has said the current flag is not representative of modern New Zealand. | Prime Minister John Key has said the current flag is not representative of modern New Zealand. |
| He also believes it is too similar to Australia's, but has admitted that polling indicates most New Zealanders would rather keep it. | He also believes it is too similar to Australia's, but has admitted that polling indicates most New Zealanders would rather keep it. |
| The Flag Consideration Panel received 10,292 entrants to its nationwide design competition. | The Flag Consideration Panel received 10,292 entrants to its nationwide design competition. |
| Not all were entirely serious, though some of the rejected designs - including Laser Kiwi - gained something of a cult following. | Not all were entirely serious, though some of the rejected designs - including Laser Kiwi - gained something of a cult following. |
| Four designs were on the shortlist announced in September, but there was criticism that they were too similar or uncreative. | Four designs were on the shortlist announced in September, but there was criticism that they were too similar or uncreative. |
| Three featured a fern design and the fourth the curving koru Maori symbol. | Three featured a fern design and the fourth the curving koru Maori symbol. |
| After a social media lobbying campaign, the government changed the rules so a fifth design - called Red Peak - also made the final cut. | After a social media lobbying campaign, the government changed the rules so a fifth design - called Red Peak - also made the final cut. |
| To help people make a decision, the five flags are being put on display across the country. | To help people make a decision, the five flags are being put on display across the country. |
| Sets of flags are being given out free to communities who have five suitable flagpoles to display them from, so the public can see them in "real-life situations". | Sets of flags are being given out free to communities who have five suitable flagpoles to display them from, so the public can see them in "real-life situations". |