Update: 12:16PM A KIWI, a koru or a silver fern?
Debate around what should adorn a new New Zealand flag is set to spark up online.
The independent flag panel is seeking designs and suggestions for a new national flag from the public.
From that a shortlist of alternative flag designs will be determined ahead of the first vote later this year.
Much of the debate will take place at www.standfor.co.nz, a new website set up for Kiwis to share their thoughts on what they believe the flag should stand for.
Creatives can upload their flag designs at www.flag.govt.nz.
The bid to change the flag is being spearheaded by Prime Minister John Key who used this year’s Waitangi Day to push his case for a flag that is distinctly New Zealand’s.
The referendum process, estimated to cost just under $NZ26m ($F39.89m), will include a two-step postal vote.
In the first vote people will be asked to rank – using a preferential voting system – their preferred alternative flag designs.
The second vote, in March 2016, will be a run-off between the current flag and the winning alternative design.
