Does New Zealand’s proposed flag resemble a swastika?

New Zealand First party is protesting against the proposed “Red Peak” design for the flag, saying that it could be used to portray the swastika symbol.

NZ First Godwins the flag referendum debate pic.twitter.com/tNljm9ifPQ

— John Hart (@farmgeek) September 23, 2015

According to The Independent, MP Denis O’Rourke demonstrated in parliament how the Nazi symbol could be created by pasting together four images of the flag.

Red Peak has been added to the alternative #nzflag shortlist following an online petition: http://t.co/qps8x2XsBk pic.twitter.com/u8pw7NnoOr

— Creative Review (@CreativeReview) September 23, 2015

A popular campaign for the geometric design of “Red Peak” prompted lawmakers on Thursday to amend the rules to add it to the original four finalists, all variations of the fern leaf.

The Pacific nation of 4.5 million people is considering changing its flag because many consider it outdated and too similar to Australia’s. It features Britain’s Union Jack in the top left corner, signaling a colonial past that some are eager to put behind them.

A government-appointed panel had winnowed down more than 10,000 designs submitted by the public to four finalists. But many people felt those designs didn’t offer enough choice, with three of them featuring silver ferns and the fourth a representation of an unfurled fern.

The Red Peak does not have any fern but a red triangle topped by a white triangle against a black background.

The fern plant is indigenous to New Zealand and features on sports emblems including the rugby and cricket teams’ uniforms.

The flag that wins in November will be pitted head-to-head against the current flag in a second nationwide vote next March.

— AP contributed