New Zealand Flag referendum: victory for existing flag
New Zealanders have voted to retain their current flag.
In the final round of the New Zealand Flag referendum, 56.7 per cent voted for no change.
The Kyle Lockwood-designed alternative (below) attracted 43.3 per cent of the vote.
Over 2.1 million votes were cast, a turnout of 67.3 per cent.
Prime Minister John Key, who had campaigned for a new flag, responded: ‘You can’t shy away from a debate or a discussion about nationhood.’
He also called on New Zealanders to ’embrace’ the decision.
Those in favour of change argued that the flag does not represent a modern New Zealand.
It still contains a Union Flag, embodying New Zealand’s past as a British colony.
The main argument for retaining the existing flag was that many New Zealanders have fought and died under it.
Indeed, particularly vocal support came from the Returned and Services Association (RSA), a military veterans group.
They described the vote as ‘an inspiring, strong show of democracy in action’.
Despite their defeat, the Change the NZ Flag lobby group remain optimistic.
‘We’ll keep campaigning,’ said Chair Lewis Holden. ‘We have a strong support base and (there is still) strong sentiment, but simply the issues have got in the way of the process.’
New Zealand Flag referendum – second round result
|
Option |
Votes |
|
|
Number |
% |
|
|
Alternative flag |
915,008 |
43.26 |
|
Existing flag |
1,200,003 |
56.74 |
|
Total |
2,115,011 |
100 |
|
Informal votes |
4,942 |
0.23 |
|
Invalid votes |
4,554 |
0.21 |
|
Total votes cast |
2,124,507 |
100 |
The alternative flag won just six of New Zealand’s 71 electorates: Bay of Plenty (51.5%), Clutha-Southland (50.5%), East Coast Bays (51.2%), Ilam (50.9%), Selwyn (51.8%) and Tāmaki (52.0%).
The existing flag claimed its largest victory in Te Tai Tokerau, with 78.9% of the votes.
Selwyn saw the highest voter turnout at 78.7%.
Author: Alex Crouch (Flag Institute accredited journalist, 2015/16)