The NZ flag — your chance to decide

Between 5 May and 16 July 2015, the Flag Consideration Panel asked NZers to share their views and values as well as suggest alternative flag designs.

The nationwide engagement programme included:

• a national road show with 25 workshops and hui across the country
• visits to busy shopping malls, libraries and markets
• over 850,000 visits to our websites, and
• more than 1.1 million people reached via social media.

Find out more about how New Zealanders participated

All New Zealanders enrolled to vote chose between the current New Zealand flag and the Silver Fern flag in the final referendum from 3 to 24 March 2016.

Referendum One

20 November – 11 December 2015

Voters were asked to rank the 5 flag alternatives from most preferred to least preferred. On 15 December 2015 the Silver Fern Flag was announced as the preferred alternative.

View the results of the first referendum

Final Referendum

3 March – 24 March 2016

Eligible voters chose between the current New Zealand Flag and the Silver Fern flag that was selected by voters in the first binding referendum from 20 November to 11 December 2015.

View the results of the second referendum

The current flag was legally adopted in 1902. At times New Zealanders have talked about change. Designs have been put forward but there has never been an official public discussion about the future of our flag.

By law our flag can be changed by a simple majority of Parliament. However Government has decided that a flag that unites New Zealanders should be selected by all New Zealanders. A legitimate process that gives everyone the chance to have their say is important, so after careful consideration the decision was made to have 2 referendums. The 2 referendums ensure that New Zealanders know what the alternative flag looks like before they decide on their preferred flag.

The estimated cost is $25.7m over 2 years, or around $5.60 for each New Zealander. Most of the cost is in holding 2 postal referendums ($17.3m) and public consultation ($6.7m).

Download an overview of the flag consideration project (PDF 1.7MB)