2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums

Two referendums were held by the New Zealand Government in November/December 2015 and March 2016 to determine the nation's flag. The voting resulted in the retention of the current flag of New Zealand.

New Zealand flag referendums
20 November – 11 December 2015
3–24 March 2016
Opinion polls
TurnoutFirst referendum: 1,546,734 (48.78%)
Second referendum: 2,140,805 (67.78%)
 
Candidate Current 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%
Results by electorate
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

No change

Shortly after the referendum announcement, party leaders reviewed draft legislation and selected candidates for a Flag Consideration Panel. The purpose of this group was to publicise the process, seek flag submissions and suggestions from the public, and decide on a final shortlist of options. Open consultation and design solicitation garnered 10,292 design suggestions from the public, later reduced to a "longlist" of 40 designs and then a "shortlist" of four designs to contend in the first referendum. Following a petition, the shortlist was later expanded to include a fifth design, the Red Peak.

The first referendum took place between 20 November and 11 December 2015 and asked, "If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?" Voters were presented with several options selected by the Flag Consideration Panel. The black, white, and blue silver fern flag by Kyle Lockwood advanced to the second referendum.

The second referendum took place between 3 and 24 March 2016. It asked voters to choose between the selected alternative (the black, white and blue silver fern flag) and the existing New Zealand flag.

Reception of the process and the finalist designs were highly critical, with no great enthusiasm shown among the public. From an aggregation of analyses, the consensus was that the referendum was "a bewildering process that seems to have satisfied few".

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