The referendum asked whether the flag which includes the Union Jack should be replaced by a design called Silver Fern, which won an earlier ballot.]]>

The results show 56.6% voted for no change, while 43.1% opted for the new design. Just over 2.1m votes were cast.

PM John Key had advocated the new flag but called on New Zealanders to “embrace” the people’s decision.

He was speaking after the preliminary result was announced following the close of the postal vote at 19:00 local time (06:00 GMT).

A final result taking into account late ballots will be announced next Wednesday.

Mr Key said he was disappointed but would support the current flag.

Despite criticism of the cost of the vote and the process, he argued that it had at least generated discussion.

“You can’t shy away from a debate or a discussion about nationhood,” he told reporters.

The existing design features the British Union Jack, a legacy of New Zealand’s days as a British colony and the reason many wanted to change it.

The proposed new design combines four red stars representing the Southern Cross constellation – also seen in the current flag – with a silver fern on a blue background with black infill in the corner – both motifs associated with New Zealand and its famous rugby team.

The Silver Fern was chosen in the first referendum last December from a shortlist of five candidates.

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