Backing for flag frontrunner

This flag design will go up against the current flag next referendum.

A snapshot of public opinion in Wairarapa indicates wide support for the black, white, and blue silver fern design that is leading the first flag referendum.

Preliminary results released by the Electoral Commission show the frontrunner of the alternative flags is the black silver fern designed by Kyle Lockwood.

The flag referendum was decided by preferential voting where voters had the option of ranking their preferences from one to five.

Voter turnout at the time this edition went to print was just under half of New Zealand's voting population.

Although the most votes were cast for Lockwood's red silver fern design in the first count, once other flags were eliminated, the black silver fern took the lead with 662,160 votes (50.53 per cent).

The Wairarapa Times-Age took to the streets of Masterton to ask people what they thought of the result.

Di and Dave Herbert from Carterton said they voted for the winning design and will be voting for it again in the second referendum.

"I just like the concept of this design," Mrs Herbert said. "It's got the black and white that New Zealanders are known for."

Alana Mays of Carterton said she thought it was unnecessary to change the flag because it is "okay as it is".

"It represents who we are," she said. "It represents New Zealand so why make the change?"

Ngaro Carroll of Masterton said she loved the black silver fern design and to "put [her] name down for that one".

"Black and White seems to be the Maori colours, and with the blue and red it all matches in," she said.

"It makes it even, sort of, to me and is more representative of New Zealand's culture.

Courtney Leske said the black silver fern was her second choice but she is still pleased with the voting result.

"The silver fern one with the red was my first choice," she said.

"I think we need a change in flag. This black and blue one is a nice one. It's keeping it kind of similar to the current one with the stars, but also the silver fern is something new and it's what we need. Plus, it's different from Australia's."

Theo Matthews said he could not remember if he put the black or red silver fern design as his first preference but was glad they were both in the top two.

"My opinion is that there has been so much money that has gone into this that we may as well actually make a change, and I think this is the flag to go for," he said.

Official results of the first referendum will be announced tomorrow.

The second referendum between the existing New Zealand flag and the alternative preferred design will be between March 3 and 24.