New Zealand prepares to vote in month-long referendum on her flag

**-:Undertaker:-** · 29-02-2016, 03:26 AM

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...and-flag--poll

New Zealand prepares to vote in month-long referendum on her flag

The final referendum on the flag takes place between the 3rd of March and voting closes on March 24th

The current New Zealand flag next to the proposed flag

Originally Posted by stuff

The current New Zealand flag is well ahead of the challenger in a new poll.

Nearly two-thirds of Kiwis want to keep New Zealand's current flag and will vote against change, a new poll reveals.

The One News Colmar Brunton poll also shows that while 63 per cent want to keep the current flag, only 26 per cent - barely more than a quarter - favour the alternative Kyle Lockwood Silver Fern design.

Labour voters were strongly against a change, with 76 per cent planning to vote for the current flag.

Labour leader Andrew Little told One News that people did not like the new flag design, while Prime Minister John Key had failed to explain why the change was proposed.

"This isn't about standing on our own two feet. This looks like a pet project of John Key's people."

Finance Minister Bill English, who is in charge of the flag referendum, told media that political preferences may have influenced some people's thoughts on the flag change, but it should not be a relevant factor.

"There may be a few people who don't like the Prime Minister and would vote against the flag for that reason, but it's a bit more important than that."

English said he was "leaning towards" a change of flag, but was yet to make up his mind.

Voting in the second stage of the referendum begins on March 3 and closes on March 24, with a final result announced before the end of the month.

Well here's to hoping the polls are correct and New Zealand chooses to preserve her history and heritage.

What does Habbox think and how would you vote?

If I recall we had a slim majority in favour of the new flag last time. Has the novelty worn off?