AKIPRESS.COM - New Zealanders are waiting to hear whether they will have a new flag, as a referendum on whether to replace their existing one draws to a close, reports BBC.

The postal vote closes at 19.00 local time (06.00 GMT) with a preliminary result announced soon after.

The existing design features the British Union Flag, a legacy of New Zealand's days as a British colony and the reason many want to change it.

But opinion polls suggest New Zealanders have voted against change.

Close to two million people have cast a ballot, a turnout of 61%.

The proposed new design is called Silver Fern. It combines four red stars representing the Southern Cross constellation, found in the current flag, with a silver fern and black in the corner – both motifs also associated with New Zealand and its famous rugby team.

It was chosen in the first stage of the referendum last December from a shortlist of five candidates, itself chosen by a panel from a longer list of 40. The long list was criticized for lacking imagination, featuring many striking similar designs just in different colors.

Prime Minister John Key is in favor of the change, describing it as a once-in-a-generation chance to update the national symbol.

The possible new design was created by Kyle Lockwood, a New Zealander living in Australia.