The Silver Fern – New Zealand’s new flag?

30 March 2015
Flags in the News
1 min read
New Zealand 'Silver Fern' Flag – a white fern on black

We will soon be hearing about the Silver Fern and two flag referendums taking place in New Zealand.

Following his re-election, Prime Minister John Key will fulfil a pledge made in March 2014 to hold a referendum on changing the national flag.

Led by ‘respected New Zealanders’, a public consultation period will run from May until November.

A shortlist of three or four proposed designs will then compete against the current flag this coming November or December.

If no flag gains over 50 per cent of the votes, a second round in April 2016 will pit the current flag against the most popular new proposal.

For those who want a change, the Silver Fern flag (right) appears to be the favoured alternative.

Critics complain that the silver fern on black leans too heavily towards New Zealand sports teams – the All Backs, Black Caps and Silver Ferns among them – and that it also resembles the Jolly Roger.

Other leading designs are James Bowman’s ‘Koru Fern’, and one based on Kyle Lockwood’s 2004 design.

Arguments for a new flag 

  • The current flag is too similar to the Australian flag
  • It doesn’t represent New Zealand’s status as an independent nation
  • It contains no Māori representation

Arguments against a new flag

  • The current design dates back to 1869 and has been the national flag since 1902
  • It represents the links between New Zealand and the UK
  • The Southern Cross represents New Zealand’s location on Earth
  • New Zealanders have fought and died under the flag, which first flew in battle on HMS Achilles during the battle of the River Plate (1939).

The latest opinion polls suggest that the current New Zealand flag will win the referendum.

Send us your thoughts on the New Zealand flag debate.

We’d also love to see any designs you may have for flags, New Zealand or otherwise.

Author: Alex Crouch, Flag Institute accredited journalist (2015/16).