Lockwood's winning entry in the New Zealand flag referendum had black instead of red, and a brighter shade of blue.

The original red design was criticised on aesthetic grounds by Hamish Keith, Paul Henry and John Oliver.

[7][8] The New Zealand Herald writer Karl Puschmann called it a design for those "sitting on the fence" who didn't want much change.

[9] Members of the public had also compared it unfavourably to Weet-Bix packaging, or a merger of the Labour and National party logos.

[5]Prominent New Zealanders, including former Governor General Dame Catherine Tizard,[13] All Black Dan Carter,[14] Olympian Ian Fergusson,[15] cricketing great Sir Richard Hadlee,[16] Olympic athlete Sir Peter Snell,[17] Mahe Drysdale,[18] and former All Black captain Richie McCaw came out in support of the alternative design.

"[19] On the subject of flag change Dame Cath Tizard said "We don't wear the clothes of a century ago or drive around today in Model T Fords.

[24] The silver fern design will also feature in the Orewa Walk of Fame in Auckland which was scheduled to be dedicated in September 2016.