New Zealand has voted to keep its current flag by 57 percent to 43 percent in a nationwide referendum.

More than 2m people voted in the ballot to decide whether to keep the British Union Jack on their flag or replace it with a silver fern. The results were announced on Thursday.

The current flag has been the national symbol since 1902. It was up against a new design that was chosen by a panel of experts from more than 10,000 entries submitted by the public.

Some of the rejected designs included a kiwi shooting laser beams out of their eyes and several cartoons of sheep.

New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Show all 8 1 /8 New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs The laser beam projects a powerful image of New Zealand. I believe my design is so powerful it does not need to be discussed. New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs The People's Republic of New Zealand. "This is a flag for the current, and future of NZ economic standings and foreign relations. It is a thing of beauty." New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs Flag-bearing kiwi. "It represents kiwis, stars, and flags." New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs That feel when our eyes gaze upon the flightless and majestic rare-Kiwi bird is a classic icon of NZ’s deep relationship with our ancestors, their spirit, land and culture. Te Pepe Tamariki, Te Papa Aotearoa. New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs This design represents all of NZ because we have lots of sheep and love hokey pokey ice cream. I even included the blue and red to keep all of you naysayers happy. Kiwi as bro. New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs I am delighted to present a flag that every New Zealander can agree to. It is recognizable globally and represents our green countryside, our clear blue skies, and the sheep doubles as a long white cloud. It also carries forward, tradition with the use of the star in place of the eye. New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs I have used both traditional and new colours, plus the silver fern and the southern cross. The theme relates to our wild and different weather and natural beauty. New Zealand Flag - The designs that didn't make the cut Rejected New Zealand flag designs "Black like the night that descends over the nation. Black like the void which keeps us apart."

The government released its longlist of 40 designs in August saying they hoped "New Zealanders will see themselves reflected in these flags' symbols, colour and stories".

The final design - a blue and black flag with red stars and a silver fern - was chosen in a separate poll in December.

Those advocating change argued the flag was a relic of the nation's colonial past and too similar to Australia's flag.

Those favoring the status quo said the new design was uninspiring or an attempt by Prime Minister John Key to create a legacy.

Opponents to change include the Returned and Services Association, which represents war veterans. It says New Zealand soldiers fought and died under the current flag and it should not be changed.

Organisers say that deciding the issue by popular vote represents a world first, with other countries changing flags by revolution, decree or legislation.

Voter turnout in the mail ballot topped 66 per cent by Wednesday, with 2.1 million votes cast from the country's 3.2 million registered voters.