New Zealanders are voting for the new flag

New Zealand current flag

Voting has begun in New Zealand in a referendum which could see the country getting a new national flag.

New Zealanders have just under a month to send in a postal ballot on which of five potential new flags they prefer.

A second vote in 2016 will ask whether they want to replace the existing flag, which features the UK's Union Jack, with the new design.

Prime Minister John Key has said the current flag is not representative of modern New Zealand.

He also believes it is too similar to Australia's, but has admitted that polling indicates most New Zealanders would rather keep it.

Four designs were on the shortlist announced in September, but there was criticism that they were too similar or uncreative.

Three featured a fern design and the fourth the curving koru Maori symbol.

After a social media lobbying campaign, the government changed the rules so a fifth design - called Red Peak - also made the final cut.

To help people make a decision, the five flags are being put on display across the country.

Sets of flags are being given out free to communities who have five suitable flagpoles to display them from, so the public can see them in "real-life situations". (BBC News)

The official result of the first referendum will be announced on 15 December. In March 2016 the winning entry will be pitted against the current flag design in a final round of voting.