Flag referendum: What you need to know

The winning design will go up against the current NZ flag in March. Photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Preliminary results of the first referendum on the new flag were announced yesterday.

Here's what you need to know about what happens next.

Q: Why does it look like the black, white and blue silver fern flag will win the first referendum?

A: It secured 662,160 votes, or 50.53 per cent, from transferred votes. Fewer people named it as their top pick but it is expected to win because of the preferential voting system.

In first preference votes, the Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) design narrowly beat the overall winner.

However, the winner on the night wasn't what got the highest percentage of the vote. In preferential voting, that would have only happened if any single flag had more than 50 per cent off the bat. When Red, White and Blue only pulled 42 per cent of the total first picks, it triggered three more counts until a final winner was found.

Q: When will we know which design will officially challenge the existing national flag?

A: The final result will be declared on Tuesday.

Q: What happens next?

A: Between March 3 and March 24, 2016, you'll get to vote in the final binding referendum on the future of the New Zealand flag. This will be between the winner of the first referendum and the existing national flag.

Q: When will New Zealand know which flag it has?

A: The official result will be declared about 5pm on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Q: How many choices of alternative flag were there?

A: Initially there were more than 10,000 entries in the $26 million process, before the final four designs were unveiled. The Red Peak design was added later.

Q: Can I vote still in the second referendum?

A: Yes you can. All New Zealanders enrolled can vote.