New Zealand votes to keep flag with Union Jack
After the government gave New Zealanders the option to change their flag, the country decided to stick with the status quo, opting to keep its current flag by a vote of 57% to 43%.
More than 2 million people voted in the ballot to decide whether to keep the British Union Jack on their flag or replace it with a silver fern. The results were announced Thursday.
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“This process has engaged Kiwis in their homes, in their schools and in their workplaces, here in New Zealand, and right around the world – it is something we’ve all had a point of view on," said Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, according to the Guardian.
The current flag has been the national symbol since 1902. It was up against a new design that was winnowed from more than 10,000 entries submitted by the public.
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Those advocating change argued the flag was a relic of the nation's colonial past and too similar to Australia's flag.
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Those favoring the status quo said the new design was uninspiring or an attempt by Prime Minister John Key to create a legacy.
Mashable added to this report.
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Blathnaid Healy is the UK Editor at Mashable. She joined the company in October 2014 and is based in the London office. Before Mashable, Blathnaid was Content Manager and COO of WorldIrish, a startup focused on the Irish diaspora. She spent almost five years working at Ireland’s largest media company RTE as a multimedia journalist where she also set up the broadcaster’s first dedicated social media team and project managed output for several high-profile events across web, mobile and social media. Blathnaid has reported from the US, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Romania and, of course, Ireland. And in case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced Blan-id.
