Yeah one of the triangle designs, "Red Peak" is gaining a chunk of support (if you have a moment, http://aotearoaflag.tumblr.com) , it's even now being discussed by the two major parties of our government about whether to include it or not in the final designs. It does seem like a large bit of political posturing, National party wanted the change, Labour were against it - now that Red Peak has become a sort of unifying symbol for some, Labour could go back on their previous statement and agree that it could be included, but that also can be construed as "We also think the flag should be changed". Whether they mean it or not, National will print it as such.

The simpler designs are much better I feel, the fern has a "mass produced" feel to it, slapping a silver fern onto a canvas and calling it a day. And the Koru has a similar feel, if only because it appears they wanted to have a sliver of Maori culture in there to avoid any backlash from that demographic who would want to be represented.

$26 million could have gone elsewhere, but here we are now.