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| New Zealand flag referendum: blue and black silver fern design wins – as it happened | |
| (16 days later) | |
| 8.36pm AEST09:36 | |
| Between two ferns | |
| While the preliminary results have Kyle Lockwood’s blue, black and white silver fern design as the preferred alternative, there’s a chance that the late votes could push his red, black and white silver fern over the line on Tuesday. | |
| With less than one percentage point between the two (50.53% of total votes for blue; 49.47% for red), the Flag Consideration Panel chair says it’s “too close to call” which of the two Lockwood designs will be named the preferred alternative. | |
| What might well be surprising to those who’ve been following the flag debate since it began in earnest in May is just how comprehensively Lockwood’s designs beat the other three, including Red Peak, which “Peak Freaks” (as they self-identify; seriously) had hoped was in with a real shot. | |
| We’ll confirm the final result when it’s announced on Tuesday. | |
| Thanks for following along. | |
| 8.32pm AEST09:32 | |
| Kyle Lockwood, designer of New Zealand's next potential flag | |
| Kyle Lockwood has called me up from Melbourne, where he now works as an architectural designer. He says he was “very excited” to see the preliminary results tonight. | |
| “Of course the final vote’s not ‘til Tuesday, so anything could happen, but when I got the result I was very surprised at the closeness of the two.” | |
| He said that he procrastinated over casting his own vote for more than a week. “I could not make a decision between the two.” | |
| But there was never a question of him voting for Red Peak, right? | |
| He laughs. “I did rank them all. I’d prefer to keep my vote private. I’m old-fashioned that way.” | |
| While the silver fern and the southern cross featured on both designs are clear symbols of New Zealand, Lockwood thinks the black, white and blue is more of a representative colour scheme. | |
| “We’ve been using black and white as our national colours since at least the 1980s. And the red, to Maori, is a very prestigious colour – it’s the colour of rank, or mana. They’d both represent New Zealand very well. | |
| “I’d be happy for either-or to get through on Tuesday.” | |
| Lockwood acknowledged that celebrating was on the cards tonight. | |
| 8.18pm AEST09:18 | |
| In case you were wondering what Justin Bieber’s take on the issue was. | |
| Justin Bieber on #nzflag: "Here's the thing dude, if it was up to me I'd say keep this one. Are you guys not confident in your flag?" | |
| 7.55pm AEST08:55 | |
| Clarification from the Flag Consideration Panel chair | |
| Professor John Burrows, a former member of the New Zealand Law Commission and the chair of the 12-person Flag Consideration Panel, has clarified the preliminary results and it looks like it might not be as cut-and-dried as first thought. | |
| There’s a difference of about 20,000 first-preference votes between Kyle Lockwood’s two designs, though the black-and-blue silver fern beat out the red, white and blue once second-preferences were factored in. | |
| “We’ve currently got a very close race between the two frontrunners,” Burrows told Guardian Australia. “The red one was ahead on the first preferences, but the black one’s overtaken it on the second preferences. | |
| “When we reach the final result, they might switch back again, so it’s too close to call.” | |
| But a Lockwood design seems certain? | |
| “That would seem fairly clear.” | |
| The flags are ranked less by the number of votes received than by percentage points; the black, white and blue design is at 50.53% of the total vote, and the red, white and blue is at 49.47%. | |
| “There’s almost one percentage point in it,” says Burrows. | |
| That means, come Tuesday, the preferred alternative will be found to be one of these two: | |
| 7.47pm AEST08:47 | |
| Another person who’ll be happy with tonight’s preliminary results: | |
| This will always be the highlight for me in regards to the legacy of red peak 😭 #NZflag What. A. Melt pic.twitter.com/y5A8Dz3etY | |
| A New Zealand politician resisted Red Peak’s inclusion in the shortlist because of what he saw as its similarities to Nazi war symbols – in particular, the markings painted on sentry boxes. | |
| “The sad fact is the Nazi colours were red, white and black as the Red Peak flag is,” said Denis O’Rourke of New Zealand First in Parliament in late September. | |
| He then held up a picture of the Red Peak flag turned into a Nazi swastika that he had found online, warning that New Zealand would be “ridiculed” overseas if it was to adopt “that kind of awful monstrosity of a design for the New Zealand flag”. | |
| Going by these preliminary results, there’s not much chance of that. | |
| 7.32pm AEST08:32 | |
| Kyle Lockwood shares the inspiration for his Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) design: his father’s success in underwater hockey. Obviously. | |
| “New Zealand is quite a small nation sitting at the bottom of the world, but we also regularly punch above our weight in things like sports and science. We’re also a very humble nation, we don’t like to talk about ourselves that much – I don’t like to talk about myself either, but my father represented New Zealand in underwater hockey and he stood on a podium and I was very very proud of him playing for the New Zealand team, it will be nice to sort of think about what sort of a flag should represent us. | |
| “When I’m designing a flag, I’ve got to think about how it flows in the breeze, how it would look draped, how it would look above a podium. My design is the silver fern and the Southern Cross; each star is representative of the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Island group. New Zealand is surrounded by water and the colour blue to me represents the ocean that surrounds our islands; to others it can represent the clear blue skies. The colour black represents our past, and it’s a colour that New Zealanders relate to well, the colour black to Kiwis also represents our achievements and the pride and strength of New Zealand.” | |
| Takes you back to high school English, doesn’t it. | |
| 7.28pm AEST08:28 | |
| 7.27pm AEST08:27 | |
| One person will be happy: | |
| John Key rn #nzflag pic.twitter.com/zH7sFV35pe | |
| Prime minister John Key has been gunning for a change of flag for over a year, and somewhat incongruously – there’s no real reason for the issue to be raised now. | |
| There’s a sense in New Zealand, as the flag debate has got underway, that the decision has been forced on them – and that’s led to resentment, compounded by the length and NZ$26m cost of the process. | |
| Things NZ should have been voting for instead: high speed train access from London, jelly tip export, a new Prime Minister. #nzflag 🇳🇿 | |
| Because of the prevailing sense of “flag fatigue”, there’s a strong chance that, when it comes to the second referendum in March, voters will choose to retain the current flag. | |
| In late October the New Zealand Herald published the findings of a small University of Auckland study that suggested that rich male university graduates and Wellington residents were the only groups in favour of changing the flag. | |
| So this is the choice. Incumbent vs challenger. Whether you like it or not, the people have spoken #NZflag pic.twitter.com/5rOAWQHou9 | |
| Well, that settles it, old flag, you've got this in the bag. #nzflag | |
| 7.18pm AEST08:18 | |
| #nzflag Twitter, by and large proponents of Red Peak (included in the shortlist partly because of a campaign carried out on social media), is not impressed – but not necessarily surprised, either. | #nzflag Twitter, by and large proponents of Red Peak (included in the shortlist partly because of a campaign carried out on social media), is not impressed – but not necessarily surprised, either. |
| No expectations. No disappointments. No flag. No swag. #nzflag | No expectations. No disappointments. No flag. No swag. #nzflag |
| no no no no no no no no #nzflag | no no no no no no no no #nzflag |
| Not gonna lie. I don't really give a toss about the #NZFlag, whatever it looks like. I'd use any of them for toilet paper if I had to. | Not gonna lie. I don't really give a toss about the #NZFlag, whatever it looks like. I'd use any of them for toilet paper if I had to. |
| This is what the #nzflag referendum revealed: we are all just a bunch of ... pic.twitter.com/XN6d5Pn24F | This is what the #nzflag referendum revealed: we are all just a bunch of ... pic.twitter.com/XN6d5Pn24F |
| Yeah nah, don't think I want Chris Cairns' old playing shirt as our new flag #nzflag #nochange | Yeah nah, don't think I want Chris Cairns' old playing shirt as our new flag #nzflag #nochange |
| Screw this. I'm moving to [country with a non-embarrassment flag] #nzflag | Screw this. I'm moving to [country with a non-embarrassment flag] #nzflag |
| Sorry that the corporate logo has won the #nzflag referendum. No doubt #RedPeak will become NZ's "Boxing Kangaroo"– https://t.co/Ef9gQNtudM | Sorry that the corporate logo has won the #nzflag referendum. No doubt #RedPeak will become NZ's "Boxing Kangaroo"– https://t.co/Ef9gQNtudM |
| The weird obsession with the fern motif reminds me of this. Just replace "horse" with "fern". #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Me3Pr0nnXT | The weird obsession with the fern motif reminds me of this. Just replace "horse" with "fern". #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Me3Pr0nnXT |
| Red Peak lost? It was so much better than the other 4 proposals it’s not even funny #nzflag #kiwicon | Red Peak lost? It was so much better than the other 4 proposals it’s not even funny #nzflag #kiwicon |
| No surprises there. #NZflag | No surprises there. #NZflag |
| Of course, it being the internet, there’s a fair bit of schadenfreude, too. | Of course, it being the internet, there’s a fair bit of schadenfreude, too. |
| Right now i dont care if the flag doesnt change. Watching red peak's demise and constant whinging was all the entertainment i need #nzflag | Right now i dont care if the flag doesnt change. Watching red peak's demise and constant whinging was all the entertainment i need #nzflag |
| 7.10pm AEST08:10 | |
| How far we’ve come from those first 10,292 submissions – and not necessarily for the better. | How far we’ve come from those first 10,292 submissions – and not necessarily for the better. |
| Related: New Zealand's new flag: 15 quirky contenders | Related: New Zealand's new flag: 15 quirky contenders |
| May was a simpler time. The government had just called for submissions for New Zealand’s potential next flag, and the possibilities were literally endless. We didn’t have to make a decision, or even consider our designs as real-life possibilities of thread and cloth; we just had to make jokes online. | May was a simpler time. The government had just called for submissions for New Zealand’s potential next flag, and the possibilities were literally endless. We didn’t have to make a decision, or even consider our designs as real-life possibilities of thread and cloth; we just had to make jokes online. |
| Time to take a trip down memory lane, and wonder what could have been. | Time to take a trip down memory lane, and wonder what could have been. |
| it's not too late @johnkeypm #nzflag pic.twitter.com/WHliRMBZOz | it's not too late @johnkeypm #nzflag pic.twitter.com/WHliRMBZOz |
| Never forget #nzflag pic.twitter.com/GOrdvVuxoC | Never forget #nzflag pic.twitter.com/GOrdvVuxoC |
| Is it too late to add this to the referendum? #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Hns4xebo0d | Is it too late to add this to the referendum? #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Hns4xebo0d |
| Updated at 7.11pm AEST | |
| 7.04pm AEST08:04 | |
| What the result means – and doesn't mean | What the result means – and doesn't mean |
| Again, it must be stressed that these results are only preliminary – the binding result will be announced next week, with all votes dated on or before Friday 11 December and received by noon Tuesday counted. But, in the absence of a shock upset, the “preferred alternative” is highly likely to be Kyle Lockwood’s blue-and-black silver fern design. | Again, it must be stressed that these results are only preliminary – the binding result will be announced next week, with all votes dated on or before Friday 11 December and received by noon Tuesday counted. But, in the absence of a shock upset, the “preferred alternative” is highly likely to be Kyle Lockwood’s blue-and-black silver fern design. |
| But it’s not over yet. | But it’s not over yet. |
| The next step is a second referendum, to be held in March next year, that asks voters to choose between Lockwood’s design and the current flag. That result will be binding. So, there’s a strong chance that – after all this – New Zealanders might well end up maintaining the status quo. | The next step is a second referendum, to be held in March next year, that asks voters to choose between Lockwood’s design and the current flag. That result will be binding. So, there’s a strong chance that – after all this – New Zealanders might well end up maintaining the status quo. |
| 6.42pm AEST07:42 | |
| Based on the preliminary result, the most preferred alternative flag design chosen through the referendum was Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue design. | Based on the preliminary result, the most preferred alternative flag design chosen through the referendum was Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue design. |
| The next most preferred was Lockwood’s red, white and blue – followed, in order of preference, the red peak, the black-and-white silver fern, and the koru. | The next most preferred was Lockwood’s red, white and blue – followed, in order of preference, the red peak, the black-and-white silver fern, and the koru. |
| The total votes received were 1,527,042, including 148,022 informal votes and 2,476 invalid votes. | The total votes received were 1,527,042, including 148,022 informal votes and 2,476 invalid votes. |
| As a percentage of the total number of voters enrolled, turnout was 48.16%. | As a percentage of the total number of voters enrolled, turnout was 48.16%. |
| The Commission has also publicised its report into the flag referendum preliminary results by count. (You can see the below table in higher resolution here.) | The Commission has also publicised its report into the flag referendum preliminary results by count. (You can see the below table in higher resolution here.) |
| The #nzflag first referendum results from the New Zealand Electoral Commission pic.twitter.com/RulAenmJVv | The #nzflag first referendum results from the New Zealand Electoral Commission pic.twitter.com/RulAenmJVv |
| 6.35pm AEST07:35 | |
| The results are in | The results are in |
| The top-ranked flag was Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue silver fern design, with 552,827 first-preference votes. | The top-ranked flag was Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue silver fern design, with 552,827 first-preference votes. |
| 6.33pm AEST07:33 | |
| So, which is it going to be? | So, which is it going to be? |
| New Zealanders: place your bets for #nzflag | New Zealanders: place your bets for #nzflag |
| After his preferred silver fern on black was thrown out for its apparent similarity to the Isis flag (...seriously), John Key endorsed Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue design. That could be enough to swing it for supporters of his governing National party. | After his preferred silver fern on black was thrown out for its apparent similarity to the Isis flag (...seriously), John Key endorsed Kyle Lockwood’s black, white and blue design. That could be enough to swing it for supporters of his governing National party. |
| Lockwood’s red, white and blue design has been remarked on its similarity to not only the Weet-Bix box but a brand of plastic plates. | Lockwood’s red, white and blue design has been remarked on its similarity to not only the Weet-Bix box but a brand of plastic plates. |
| Yeah, something isn't right. Found this the other day. #NZflag pic.twitter.com/3Z9twOe9at | Yeah, something isn't right. Found this the other day. #NZflag pic.twitter.com/3Z9twOe9at |
| Red Peak, the late addition, is beloved of the New Zealand liberal “Twitterati” and art and design set, which could work both for and against it, depending on in what numbers they turned out to vote. Because Key first dismissed calls to have it included in the shortlist, its subsequent addition in late September was construed as a bit of a win for the left. | Red Peak, the late addition, is beloved of the New Zealand liberal “Twitterati” and art and design set, which could work both for and against it, depending on in what numbers they turned out to vote. Because Key first dismissed calls to have it included in the shortlist, its subsequent addition in late September was construed as a bit of a win for the left. |
| The most you can say of the koru is that it’s better known as the ‘hypnoflag’. | The most you can say of the koru is that it’s better known as the ‘hypnoflag’. |
| 6.19pm AEST07:19 | |
| I don’t care to let on how many times I’ve watched that “John Key says ‘flag’” video (“fhleg”). | I don’t care to let on how many times I’ve watched that “John Key says ‘flag’” video (“fhleg”). |
| 6.16pm AEST07:16 | |
| The Electoral Commission are expected to announce the preliminary results to the referendum in approximately 15 minutes’ time, which will be 8.30pm in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. | The Electoral Commission are expected to announce the preliminary results to the referendum in approximately 15 minutes’ time, which will be 8.30pm in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. |
| It is, we must stress, a preliminary result, which may change when the final voting papers are counted. Though the referendum technically closed today, any votes that are stamped or postmarked on or before Friday 11 December will be counted if they are received by noon on Tuesday 15 December. | It is, we must stress, a preliminary result, which may change when the final voting papers are counted. Though the referendum technically closed today, any votes that are stamped or postmarked on or before Friday 11 December will be counted if they are received by noon on Tuesday 15 December. |
| But unless it’s an exceedingly close-run contest between the top two designs, the best-ranked design tonight will likely be the one that goes head-to-head against the current flag in the second referendum in March. | But unless it’s an exceedingly close-run contest between the top two designs, the best-ranked design tonight will likely be the one that goes head-to-head against the current flag in the second referendum in March. |
| Just over 1.5m votes had been received by the Electoral Commission yesterday – 47.40% of enrolled voters. | Just over 1.5m votes had been received by the Electoral Commission yesterday – 47.40% of enrolled voters. |
| First, a word from the New Zealand prime minister, John Key. | First, a word from the New Zealand prime minister, John Key. |
| 6.09pm AEST07:09 | |
| Let’s assess the five contenders, which New Zealanders were asked to rank in this first postal referendum. | Let’s assess the five contenders, which New Zealanders were asked to rank in this first postal referendum. |
| The question posed was “If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?” | The question posed was “If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?” |
| Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue), by Kyle Lockwood | Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue), by Kyle Lockwood |
| Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue), by Kyle Lockwood | Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue), by Kyle Lockwood |
| Koru, by Andrew Fyfe | Koru, by Andrew Fyfe |
| Silver Fern (Black and White), by Alofi Kanter | Silver Fern (Black and White), by Alofi Kanter |
| Red Peak, by Aaron Dustin | Red Peak, by Aaron Dustin |
| 5.51pm AEST06:51 | |
| TGIF – thank god it’s flag day | TGIF – thank god it’s flag day |
| Welcome to the live blog of the first New Zealand flag referendum announcement. | Welcome to the live blog of the first New Zealand flag referendum announcement. |
| Related: New Zealand's prime minister John Key wants a new flag. Does anybody else? | Related: New Zealand's prime minister John Key wants a new flag. Does anybody else? |
| The bid to change New Zealand’s flag began in earnest seven months ago, when the government put out a call for alternative designs. | The bid to change New Zealand’s flag began in earnest seven months ago, when the government put out a call for alternative designs. |
| Nearly 10,300 were submitted, which a government-appointed panel of 12 people was tasked with whittling down to 4o, then four. A fifth design, Red Peak, was added to the shortlist following public pressure. | Nearly 10,300 were submitted, which a government-appointed panel of 12 people was tasked with whittling down to 4o, then four. A fifth design, Red Peak, was added to the shortlist following public pressure. |
| Related: New Zealand's flag referendum: fifth option to be added after public pressure | Related: New Zealand's flag referendum: fifth option to be added after public pressure |
| The New Zealand Electoral Commission will shortly announce the preliminary results of the first referendum, which asked voters to rank the five flags in order of preference. | The New Zealand Electoral Commission will shortly announce the preliminary results of the first referendum, which asked voters to rank the five flags in order of preference. |
| But the process doesn’t end tonight: the top-ranked design will be pitted against the current flag in a second and final referendum in March next year. | But the process doesn’t end tonight: the top-ranked design will be pitted against the current flag in a second and final referendum in March next year. |
| Will Red Peak’s late addition to the list be justified? Will the black-and-white koru, or ‘hypnoflag’, be a surprise contender? Or, as is statistically likely, will the winning design be a silver fern? | Will Red Peak’s late addition to the list be justified? Will the black-and-white koru, or ‘hypnoflag’, be a surprise contender? Or, as is statistically likely, will the winning design be a silver fern? |
| We’ll be covering the announcement and the reaction from around the globe. You can tweet at me at @mlle_elle, keep up with the discussion on Twitter at #nzflag, or comment below. | We’ll be covering the announcement and the reaction from around the globe. You can tweet at me at @mlle_elle, keep up with the discussion on Twitter at #nzflag, or comment below. |