New Zealand's acting prime minister has doubled down on his call for Australia to change its 116-year-old flag, saying it's causing confusion.
Earlier this week, New Zealand foreign minister and deputy PM Winston Peters publicly proclaimed the Aussie ensign was a copy of its Kiwi counterpart and needed to be replaced to avoid mix-ups.
Quizzed on the remarks on Thursday, Mr Peters wasn't backing down.
"We designed it and they borrowed it and if we wanted to clear the matter up they should change their flag," he told reporters in Wellington.
"It must be patently obvious that all over the world people are confused. I've been in places like Turkey and elsewhere where they've confused our countries on the basis of those flags. It's not helpful."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Technically, New Zealand adopted its Southern Cross-starred flag in 1902, while Australia formally only did so in 1954.
However, the Aussie national banner won a competition in 1901 and was flown in September that year during the first Flag Day. It underwent minor changes during the decade.
Confusion between the two flags was often raised during New Zealand's failed 2016 referendum into replacing its banner.
Mr Peters fiercely opposed a change.
The comments this week have come amid an ongoing trans-Tasman war or words about Australia's deportation of hundreds of New Zealanders.
In recent weeks, Mr Peters, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and New Zealand's justice minister all weighed in on the issue.
