The final countdown has begun to a decision on our flag.

The referendum is closing on Thursday and the Electoral Commission is advising voters to make sure their ballot papers are in the mail today.

As of last Wednesday, around 1.6 million voting papers had been received.

Labour leader Andrew Little said he’s just spent the weekend at WOMAD in New Plymouth where the referendum was a hot topic.

He thinks it's hard to tell which way the vote will go, but notes change is not popular with the public.

“With the exception of one person, everyone who stopped and spoke to me told me how much they don’t want a flag change.”

Preliminary results will be announced after voting closes on Thursday, with official results announced next Wednesday March 30th.