New Zealand flag debate

[2] The four designs chosen as finalists faced criticism for their similarity and reliance on sporting iconography more closely associated with a subset of the population.

[6][7] The referendum, especially the alternative designs offered, was mocked by commentators in New Zealand and abroad,[3][8] and John Key named it as one of his main regrets when he announced his retirement from politics in 2016.

[32] The Austrian-born surrealist visual artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed his titular koru flag in 1983.

[33][34] Twenty-five Members of Parliament expressed support for the flag when it was publicly unveiled in 1986, including then-prime minister David Lange.

[1] In February 1992, the former Minister of Māori Affairs, Matiu Rata, called for a flag change "to re-establish our national identity".

In 2004, the NZ Flag.com Trust was founded by businessman Lloyd Morrison with the aim of bringing about a non-binding referendum on the subject.

The NZ Flag.com Trust cited public apathy to change as the main reason for withdrawing the petition.

[37] On 5 August 2010, Labour list MP Charles Chauvel introduced a member's bill for a consultative commission followed by a referendum on the New Zealand flag.

[38] In January 2014, Prime Minister John Key floated the idea of a referendum on a new flag at the 2014 general election.

[2] 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.

[48] Political communications professor Claire Robinson labelled the debate an example of groupthink, writing: "I can't figure how the panel can rationalise drawing on old symbols as a way of celebrating us as progressive.

"[53] Prime Minister John Key said that he was disappointed by the decision to retain the current flag, while stating he was pleased that the country had a valuable discussion about what it stood for.

[12] Amongst the public, polls have shown that the silver fern is the most preferred alternative design for a new national flag.

[12][93] New Zealand Herald writer Karl Puschmann called it a design for those "sitting on the fence" who didn't want much change[3] and the National Business Review labelled it "amateur" and "dated".