New Zealand flag referendums, 2015–16

New Zealand flag referendums

20 November – 11 December 2015 3–24 March 2016

Opinion polls Turnout First referendum: 1,546,734 (48.78%) Second referendum: 2,140,805 (67.78%)   Candidate Flag of New Zealand Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) First preferences – 40.15% 41.64% Two-flag preferred – 50.58% 49.42% Second referendum 56.73% 43.27%   Candidate Red Peak Silver Fern (Black & White) Koru First preferences 8.77% 5.66% 3.78% Two-flag preferred – – –

Flag of New Zealand before election A British Blue Ensign, defaced with four stars of the Crux Australis in red, outlined in white Elected Flag of New Zealand A British Blue Ensign, defaced with four stars of the Crux Australis in red, outlined in white

A British Blue Ensign, defaced with four stars of the Crux Australis in red, outlined in white

A British Blue Ensign, defaced with four stars of the Crux Australis in red, outlined in white

Two New Zealand flag referendums were held by the New Zealand government in November/December 2015 and March 2016 and resulted in the retention of the current flag of New Zealand.

The first referendum to determine the preferred alternative flag took place between 20 November and 11 December 2015 and asked, "If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?" Results show the black, white, and blue Silver fern flag by Kyle Lockwood advancing to the second referendum.

The second referendum took place between 3 and 24 March 2016 and asked voters to choose between the selected alternative (the Silver Fern Flag) and the existing New Zealand flag.

Reception of the process was critical, with no great enthusiasm shown among the public.

New Zealand has a history of debate about whether the national flag should be changed. For several decades, alternative designs have been proposed, with varying degrees of support. There is no consensus among proponents of changing the flag as to which design should replace the flag.

In January 2014, Prime Minister John Key floated the idea of a referendum on a new flag at the 2014 general election. The proposal was met with a mixed response. Then in March, Key announced that New Zealand would hold a referendum within the next three years asking whether or not to change the flag design, should the National Party be re-elected for a third term. Following National's re-election the details of the referendum were announced.

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Wikipedia