NZ flag vote 'waste of money and time'

Australia has even more reason to ditch its flag now that the Kiwis have voted to keep their Union Jack, says a group agitating for change.

But a group in favour of the existing design say any change is unnecessary and a waste of money.

The results of the second binding referendum on the New Zealand flag were announced on Thursday night, with almost 57 per cent of voters choosing to keep the current flag.

"It's disappointing and it's more reason for us to change," Ausflag executive director Harold Scruby told AAP.

It was unfair that Indigenous Australians didn't have a "microdot" of representation on what is the country's most public symbol, he said.

Not only does it remain difficult to distinguish the neighbouring countries at sporting games, Australia's flag signals its status as a British colony, he said.

But for monarchist David Flint, the similarity in flags reflect the countries' close relationship.

Professor Flint, convenor for the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, said he celebrated the Kiwi vote.

"I'm delighted by the result but of course it was to be expected," he told AAP.

He warned against Australia going down the same path: "What a waste of money and time.

"We have a number of big problems and they have nothing to do with the flag and the crown.

"It's not as though someone has even suggested a viable alternative."

More than two million people voted in the New Zealand referendum and just over 43 per cent wanted change, voting for Kyle Lockwood's black and blue silver fern design.

The whole exercise cost the country about $23 million.

Ausflag's Mr Scruby believed the flag's design "wrecked" the referendum outcome.

Instead of the alternative flag's original black and white fern design, the current flag's red stars were retained as a compromise, he said.

"It didn't help that ISIS came out with a black and white flag just before the whole process," Mr Scruby told AAP.

"I think the compromise is what killed it.

"They tried to introduce a new symbol and keep the old one."