Mr Mallard said Labour did support the issue going to a referendum for the public to vote on it. However, if the order of questions was not changed it was likely Labour would continue to oppose it. He said the first referendum should ask both whether voters wanted a change and to rank the shortlisted designs. If a majority did want a change, the second referendum would test the preferred new design against the current.
Act leader David Seymour said he would support it and could see the sense in deciding on what the alternative flag would be before deciding whether to vote for a change. The bill will go to a select committee for public input. It also ensures that if a new flag is chosen it automatically takes effect because changes to other legislation affecting the flag will kick in.
The flag designs for the first referendum will be decided on by a panel of 12 New Zealanders chaired by former deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury, Emeritus Professor John Burrows.
End of 2015:
Referendum One: If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer? [Voters rank four options in order of preference]
April 2016:
Referendum Two: What is your choice for the New Zealand flag? [voters choose between current flag and chosen new design].