2 or 4 design but the red on the upper left in contrast to the black in the opposite doesn't strike we as well as 4.  Oops, am I getting in a political battle where I do not belong?

I do remember our mid 1960s debate in Canada that was very political.  While many similar versions and colour combinations were presented, in the end a simple 2 colour design prevailed, and glad it did!  It was not a referendum here but a vote in Parliament that made the final choice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Canadian_Flag_Debate.

While visiting Australia a few years ago we were at an AFL game and our accent gave us away, and when they realized we were not American, the first comment back was "one thing Canada did right was your flag".  My in-laws both were in Europe under the Canadian Red Ensign but they quickly agreed with and were proud of the new design.

Enjoy, and good luck.
Paul

I like number 2 the old Red White and Blue thing,The similar flag with the corner being Black instead of Blue is playing on the All Black theme that is strong at the moment. There are other sporting teams around.

Thanks for amusing us Wolfie!!

Yes there are a few raised eyebrows out there asking why in the first place...

A lot of our grandfathers' generation and older uncles and dads if still around, fought for peace and for freedom under the NZ Flag, many lost their lives in the wars for our country and for the better good of the Commonwealth.  Most militarians hold onto the NZ Flag with the Union Jack and the Military Ensigns as versions of the connection with the Union Jack and the Motherland - the Queen is still the Head of the Country - she is still Queen of New Zealand, so I wonder what she thinks of this strange wandering...

Personally, if I were to choose of these offerings, I initially liked No 2 with the red linking us with England, but then the Black and the white fern associates with Fernleaf Butter (haha - all green), the Black Caps, the All Blacks, the Black Ferns, the Black Sox etc

So yes I am a tick for the no 4 black and blue flag.

"one thing Canada did right was your flag".
Yep Paul I have heard this said many times.
Its clear, its simple, easy to remember and at a glance you  know it is Canada

Up until a couple of weeks ago I did not care either way but was not impressed with the amount of money the whole thing was costing.
One evening I watched a couple of NZ TV announcers roaming around the USA.
They had the NZ flag and were asking the man on the street from which country did it come from.

All but 1 said Australia!!!!!!!!!!!
That was enough for me....lol 

New Zealand, go for it, anything will do as long as it does not look like aussie's
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I dislike the current flag with its colonial cringe connotations, and even more that it gets confused with the Australian one!! Any of the Ferns will do ...

If we do have to change the flag number 4 for me.
Being in sport we do need a flag that stands out.
The black to me stands for the black singlet
The blue for the sea which NZ sits in.
the red in the stars for our british heritage.
The stars (southren cross)
The silver fern.

Thought about that Gabba, but voting will only be for these 4. Then the winner will be pitted against the current flag and I will run another Poll then. Months away though.

Cheers

He he the Koru of course. It is the true symbol of NZ's weather - another big westerly (southerly) on the way.