Gettin rid of the Uninion Jack

As we all know New Zealand used to be one of the many British colonies. Evidence for this can be seen for example by looking at the driving (left side of the road) or by looking at the NZ flag. This holds, besides the Southern Cross, also the Uninion Jack in the top left hand corner.

In a way this seems to work as a trademark when looking at other countries such as Australia or the USA. These countries still show their former belonging to the Empire.

However, in March 2016 the population of NZ had the chance to change this flag by voting in a referendum. Beforehand a choice of five flags were ordered by the people and the one with the most votes got to challenge the former (and in order not to give away the outcome) and perhaps also current flag. Both designs and further information can also be found here: https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/

The current flag has been in place for a bit more than a century, beginning 1902. Since then some designs were brought forward but did not overpower the former / current British influenced one.

So what was the outcome of the referendum? In a few words: About 6 months of debating and chosing flag designs, various political decisions, medial approaches and advertisement, costs of overall 25 million dollars and a result of 56.6% to 43.1% for the old and also current flag. So we don’t need to look out for a new design any time soon and for the politically-geographically interested ones: The next memory or quiz on flags will still be the same.