New Zealand Rejects New Flag

New Zealand has voted to keep its current flag by 57% to 43% in a nationwide poll, the AP reports. More than 2 million people voted in the ballot to decide whether to keep the British Union Jack on their flag or replace it with a silver fern. The results were announced Thursday. The current flag, which has been the national symbol since 1902, was up against a new design that was winnowed from more than 10,000 entries submitted by the public. Those advocating change argued the flag was a relic of the nation's colonial past and too similar to Australia's flag. Those favoring the status quo said the new design was uninspiring or an attempt by Prime Minister John Key to create a legacy. (Fiji is in the process of selecting a Union Jack-free flag.)