Former Labour Party leader David Shearer says he will be voting for the alternative blue and black flag in this week's final flag referendum.
Voting packs are being sent out today to more than three million New Zealanders who can vote for either the Kyle Lockwood design or the current flag.
Mr Shearer said he was not going against his own party by supporting a change, as it was up to each individual to choose how they were going to vote.
"My choice is to vote for the new flag. I've seen both flags flying side by side and the bottom line for me is that I much prefer the new flag to the old flag."
He said he did agree with Labour that the flag referendum process was poor and confusing.
