The Electoral Commission has released the final result for the first referendum on the New Zealand Flag. The referendum asked the question:
"If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?"

The most preferred alternative flag design chosen through the first referendum was
Option A: Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue).

The next most preferred flag design was Option E: Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue), followed in order of preference by Option B: Red Peak, Option D: Silver Fern (Black and White) and Option C: Koru.

The total votes received were 1,546,734, which includes 149,747 informal votes (9.7%) and 3,372 invalid votes (0.22%).

Voter turnout is 48.78%. Turnout is calculated by taking the total votes received as a percentage of the total number of voters enrolled as at 19 November 2015 (3,170,726).

The second referendum on the New Zealand flag will be held between 3-24 March 2016. Voters will be asked to choose between the Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) flag option, being the most preferred flag design selected in this referendum, and the current flag. The flag that receives the most votes will be the official flag of New Zealand.