New Zealand makes historic decision on new flag

                                                       (C)NewZealandGovernment

New Zealanders have just under a month left to decide which of five new flags best represents their country, or if they're happy to stick with what they have got. Kiwis will have to submit their ballots by December 11, electing one of five proposed new designs, three of which feature the fern, an unofficial but frequently featured symbol for New Zealanders. A fourth one features the curving Koru Maori emblem and the fifth is a white chevron with red, black and blue triangles.
One of the most striking aspects of the shortlist is that none of the options include the Union Jack, which of course features in their current flag. The fifth flag, ‘Red Peak,’ was included in the vote after a social media campaign was launched asking it be proposed to the public.
The Flag Consideration Panel received more than 10,000 entries for ideas of the new national symbol. Although 65 percent of New Zealanders have stated in a poll that they would prefer to keep their current flag, which features the UK’s Union Jack, it will go head-to-head with the winning alternative flag in a vote next year. The current flag is too similar to Australia’s flag and doesn't represent the modern New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key told BBC. He said the south pacific country needs a new flag that ‘screams New Zealand.’
The five flag finalists are being displayed across the country on flagpoles so communities can see them in person before they make their decision.
New Zealand is now independent from the British Empire but Queen Elizabeth II remains the head of state.