Definition
Change the NZ Flag refers to the political and public campaign(s) aimed at replacing the current national flag of New Zealand—a British Blue Ensign featuring the Union Jack and the Southern Cross—with an alternative design that more fully represents the country’s identity, culture, and independence.
Overview
The most prominent instance of this movement occurred between 2015 and 2016, when the New Zealand government, under Prime Minister John Key, organized a two‑stage, publicly funded flag referendums. A first "design selection" poll (the “Flag Consideration Panel”) identified a shortlist of alternative designs, after which a second referendum asked voters to choose between the existing flag and a single alternative (the “Silver Fern” design). The final referendum, held on 24 March 2016, resulted in 56.6 % voting to retain the current flag.
The campaign involved a broad coalition of supporters and opponents. Proponents argued that a new flag would better reflect New Zealand’s distinct national character, acknowledge Māori heritage, and shed colonial symbols. Opponents emphasized historical continuity, the flag’s recognition abroad, and concerns over the cost and divisiveness of the process.
Since the 2016 referendum, periodic calls for another review have arisen, particularly following major national events or increased discussion of constitutional reform. No further referendums have been scheduled, and the issue remains a subject of occasional public debate and academic analysis.
Etymology / Origin
The phrase Change the NZ Flag combines the English verb “change” with the abbreviation “NZ” (common shorthand for New Zealand) and the noun “flag.” It emerged in the media and online discourse during the lead‑up to the 2015–2016 referendums, used both as a hashtag (e.g., #ChangeTheNZFlag) and as a slogan by advocacy groups seeking a new national emblem.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Stakeholders | Government agencies (e.g., Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet), the Flag Consideration Panel, political parties, Māori iwi and hapū, civil‑society groups, and the general electorate. |
| Design proposals | Over 10,000 submissions were received; the most prominent alternative was the “Silver Fern on a Black, White and Blue field” designed by Kyle Lockwood. Other notable designs incorporated Māori motifs, the Southern Cross, or purely contemporary visual elements. |
| Process | 1️⃣ Public call for design submissions (2015). 2️⃣ Expert panel shortlisted nine designs. 3️⃣ First referendum (23 Sep 2015) chose the “Silver Fern” as the preferred alternative. 4️⃣ Second referendum (24 Mar 2016) asked a binary choice. |
| Legal context | Any change to the national flag would require an act of Parliament, typically following a binding referendum under the New Zealand Flag Referendums Act 2015. |
| Public opinion | Polling before the 2015–2016 process showed roughly 30 % support for change; after the referendum, support stabilized around 35 %–40 % in subsequent surveys (as of 2024). |
| Cultural implications | The debate touches on issues of post‑colonial identity, biculturalism with Māori, national branding, and the symbolism of the Union Jack within the flag. |
Related Topics
- New Zealand national flag – the current official flag, a Blue Ensign with the Union Jack and Southern Cross.
- Flag Consideration Panel – the independent body that reviewed public submissions in 2015.
- 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums – the two‑stage public vote on flag change.
- Māori symbolism in national emblems – broader discussion of indigenous representation in state symbols.
- Constitutional reform in New Zealand – the flag issue is occasionally linked to wider debates about republicanism and constitutional change.
- Silver Fern – a national symbol of New Zealand widely used in sports and branding, central to the most popular alternative flag design.