The NZ flag debate in 2015

The NZ flag is strikingly similar to the Australian flag:

In 2015 over 10 000 alternative flag designs were submitted. I wanted to retain the Southern Cross but to feature something uniquely Kiwi instead of another country's flag in the design, so in my contribution I replaced the union flag in the top left corner with a kiwi:

5 designs were chosen - 3 featured the silver fern. Mine wasn't shortlisted. In the first referendum Kiwis ranked these 5 designs, and Kyle Lockwood's design won:

The March 2016 referendum

There was a 67.3% turnout: 56.6% of the votes cast were for the existing flag, and 43.2% were for Kyle Lockwood's design. Thus only a minority of the eligible electorate voted to retain the current flag. Those of us who voted for Kyle Lockwood's flag, as well as those Kiwis who abstained because they disliked the options [those who wanted a change of design, but not Kyle Lockwood's], are stuck with the incumbent flag. Confusion with Australia's flag will continue, unlike other nations which have more distinctive flags. 

Canada's flag is clearly recognisable:

... and my fellow Scots have 2 flags (the lion rampant or the saltire / St Andrew's cross), although the saltire is more commonly flown.

In November 2016 I spotted the Scottish, Canadian & NZ flags flying in New Plymouth. When seen beside these others the NZ flag is hard to identify:

If you didn't spot it, in the picture above the NZ flag is to the right of the Canadian one.