CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Common criticisms of the existing form of the New Zealand flag are its similarity to the Australian flag and the inappropriateness of retaining the Union Jack in the design. A series of polls conducted since the 1970s have shown that a majority of New Zealanders prefer the current flag.

Detailed explanation-2: -Two New Zealand flag referendums were held by the New Zealand Government in November/December 2015 and March 2016 to determine the nation’s flag. The voting resulted in the retention of the current flag of New Zealand.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 2016, for the first time, New Zealanders voted on their flag. The options were the current New Zealand flag and the Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) design which had been selected from among five designs in a referendum in 2015. Nearly 57% of voters opted for the current flag.

Detailed explanation-4: -Both the New Zealand and Australian flags are dark blue with the Union Jack emblem of former colonial power Britain in the top left corner. The only major difference is that the Australian version has six white stars, five representing the Southern Cross, while New Zealand depicts the constellation with four red stars.