03.03.2016 - 01:41
New Zealanders will be able to vote from Thursday in a final referendum on whether to change their current flag.
They have until 24 March to choose between the present design and an alternative decided in a previous vote.
The exercise has been controversial with many criticizing the hefty price tag and shortlisted designs.
But Prime Minister John Key and others have argued the country needs a more distinctive flag, as the current one looks similar to Australia’s.
The final referendum will be conducted as a postal vote.
The alternative design, Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) was decided in December after a first referendum where New Zealanders chose between five flag designs.
It was designed by architect Kyle Lockwood and about 1.5 million votes were cast in that referendum, which was about half of registered voters.
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