FIRST REFERENDUM ON

THE NEW ZEALAND FLAG

MEDIA KIT
SEPTEMBER 2015

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
All media enquiries about enrolling and voting in the first referendum:
Anastasia (Stasi) Turnbull, Manager Communications and Education
phone +64 4 806 3535
mobile 027 474 3997
email media@elections.govt.nz

All media enquiries about the flag consideration process:

Suzanne Stephenson
Mobile 021 805 115

www.elections.org.nz
www.electionresults.govt.nz

REFERENDUM BASICS
Soon, New Zealanders will get to vote in two binding referendums on the future of the New Zealand flag.
First, between 20 November and 11 December 2015, theyll be invited to vote in a referendum on the
question If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?
Theyll be asked to rank the five alternative flag designs selected through the Flag Consideration Process.
Then, in March 2016, there will be another referendum to choose between the most preferred option from
the first referendum and the current flag.
The flag that receives the most votes in the second referendum will be the official flag of New Zealand.
These will be postal referendums, so voting papers will be sent in the mail.
Only those who are correctly enrolled before voting starts are able to vote in the referendums. Those who
enrol during the voting period for the first referendum will only be able to vote in the second referendum.
Those who enrol during the voting period for the second referendum will not be able to vote in that
referendum.
Any enrolled voter who doesnt receive a voting pack, loses it or makes a mistake on their voting paper will
be able to apply to get a replacement one posted to them. Votes will be processed and counted
electronically. It is not compulsory to take part in either referendum.
Voters overseas who are registered with an overseas postal address will get voting papers sent to that
address. Anyone else will have to have the voting papers sent to their New Zealand address forwarded to
them overseas. Overseas voters will be able to return their papers by post, fax, or secure upload.

THE COMMISSIONS ROLE

The Electoral Commissions role is to administer the two flag referendums as prescribed in the New Zealand
Flag Referendums Act.
Information about enrolling and voting will be disseminated via a public information campaign during the
enrolment and voting periods. This will begin with a household mail drop of an information brochure in early
October.
Information about enrolling and voting in the referendum will be available in New Zealand Sign Language
and 25 other languages at elections.org.nz. Information in audio, Braille and other accessible formats for
blind and vision-impaired voters will be distributed by the Blind Foundation. Dictation voting will also be
available for voters with vision or physical disabilities that mean they are unable to complete their voting
paper independently.

KEY DATES FOR THE FIRST REFERENDUM

Date

Activity

Sunday 4 October

Advertising campaign starts to ensure people are correctly enrolled to vote in

the referendum.
Check your details online, or complete an enrolment form to enrol or update
your details. These are available:
at www.elections.org.nz
by Freetexting your name and address to 3676
at any PostShop
by calling Freephone 0800 36 76 56

Thursday 19 November

Last chance to enrol to vote.

Friday 20 November

Voting period begins. Voting papers start being delivered.

Friday 27 November

All voting papers sent to enrolled electors by this date.

Voters who have not received their voting papers can request replacement
voting papers via the 0800 or website.

Tuesday 8 December

Voting papers posted in New Zealand by this date will reach the Returning
Officer in time. People who have not posted their papers by this date will be
encouraged to get them to a Postshop to ensure they are received in time.

7pm Friday 11 December

Voting closes.

8.30pm [target]
Friday 11 December

Target time for preliminary result to be announced.

www.electionresults.govt.nz
www.elections.org.nz

Tuesday 15 December
Noon

Last point for voting papers to be received for inclusion in the count (they
must be postmarked no later than 10 December if from overseas).

Tuesday 15 December
5pm [target]

Official result announced.

www.electionresults.govt.nz
www.elections.org.nz

VOTING IN THE FIRST FLAG REFERENDUM

On your voting paper, you will be asked to rank the different flag options 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in the order you
prefer them.
You write a 1 in the box of the flag option you prefer most. Then you can put a 2 in the box of the option
you prefer next, and so on.
You can rank as many or as few flag options as you wish, but you shouldnt skip a number or use the same
number more than once.
If one flag option gets fifty percent or more of all the first preference votes (that is votes marked "1"), it will
be selected on the first count.
If no flag option gets fifty percent or more of the first preference votes, the flag with the fewest number 1
votes is dropped and its votes go to the flag each voter ranked next.
This continues until one flag gets fifty percent or more of the valid votes cast in the first flag referendum.
The most preferred flag in the first referendum will go to a second referendum in early 2016, when voters
will choose between it and the current flag.
This system of voting is called Preferential Voting (PV) and is used for elections to the House of
Representatives in Australia and to elect some mayors in New Zealand, including in Wellington and Dunedin.

EXAMPLES OF HOW PV WORKS

Here are three simple examples of how PV works. In each example there are 100 valid votes and a flag
option needs fifty percent or more of the votes to be selected.
Note: This section was developed before a fifth flag option was introduced.
Example 1:
The Apple flag (with 53 votes marked 1) gets more than half of the 1st preference votes and is selected.

Flag option
Apple
Banana
Orange
Pear
Total

1st count
53
21
15
11
100 votes

Selected

Example 2:
The Apple flag (with 45 votes marked 1) leads after the first vote count but does not have fifty percent or
more of the 1st preference votes. So the flag with the fewest votes marked 1 the Pear flag is dropped
and its 11 votes go to the flag options marked 2 by these 11 voters. Apple gets seven of Pears 2nd

preference votes for a total of 52 votes and is selected as the alternative flag option for the second
referendum.

Flag option
Apple
Banana
Orange
Pear
Total

1st count
45
25
19
11
100 votes

2nd count
45+7=52
25+3=28
19+1=20
Eliminated
100 votes

Selected

Example 3:
The Apple flag (with 45 votes marked 1) leads after the first vote count but does not have fifty percent or
more of the 1st preference votes. So the flag with the fewest votes marked 1 the Pear flag is dropped
and its four votes go to the flag options marked 2 by these voters. Apple gets two of Pears 2nd preference
votes for a total of 47 votes, Banana gets one for a total of 44 votes and Orange also gets one for a total of
nine votes.
There is still no flag option with fifty percent or more of the votes. So the flag with the fewest votes Orange
is dropped and its nine votes go to the flag options each voter ranked next. The Banana flag receives eight
of these votes, enough to overtake Apple and be selected with 52 votes.

Flag option
Apple
Banana
Orange
Pear
Total

1st count
45
43
8
4
100 votes

2nd count
45+2=47
43+1=44
8+1=9
Eliminated
100 votes

3rd count
47+1=48
44+8=52
Eliminated

Selected

These examples show some basic features of PV

1. A flag option must get fifty percent or more of the valid votes to be selected, which may come from
a mix of votes marked 1, 2, and so on.
2. The flag option with the most votes marked 1 may be overtaken by another flag in the second or
third counts.
3. If a voters first choice is eliminated they can still have a say through their second or third
preferences.

HOW TO TAKE PART

People can only vote if they are enrolled by Thursday 19 November, which is the day before voting starts.
All enrolled voters will be sent voting papers in the mail. These will include their voting paper, full
information on how to complete their paper, and information about the five flag options.
Voters will be asked to:
Rank the flag options 1-5 in the order they prefer them. They can rank as many or as few flag options
as they wish
Tear off the voting paper from the personalised letter sent to them in the mail
Put it into the Freepost addressed envelope provided and
Post it in a New Zealand Post mailbox. They should send it no later than 8 December to ensure it
gets to the Returning Officer in time to count.
These should be received by Friday 27 November. If enrolled voters do not receive their paper, or make a
mistake on their paper, replacement papers can be requested from Freephone 0800 36 76 56 or
www.elections.org.nz.

REFERENDUM ADVERTISING RULES

Are there any rules about how much can be spent on advertising the referendum?
No, the only requirement is for referendum advertisements to include a promoter statement.
Anyone can promote a referendum advertisement and there is no requirement for promoters to register
with the Commission. There are no limits on how much a person or organisation can spend on promoting a
flag for one or both of the referendums. Promoters for the flag referendums do not have to complete a
return of expenses or donations.
Can MPs and parliamentary parties use public money to fund referendum advertising?
The Parliamentary Service Act 2000 contains separate rules about the use of parliamentary funding for
referendum advertising by Members of Parliament. The Parliamentary Service Act has a different definition
of the term referendum advertisement to the definition of meaning given in the New Zealand Flag
Referendums Act.
Parliamentary Service can advise on the rules for the use of parliamentary funding for referendum
advertising by members of Parliament and can be contacted by telephone 04 817 9999.
Are there any rules about what can and cant be said in the media in relation to the referendum?
No.
Are there any rules or restrictions on media coverage?
No.
Further detailed information about referendum advertising rules can be found here:
http://www.elections.org.nz/events/referendums-new-zealand-flag-0/referendum-advertising-rules

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When are the referendums?
There are going to be two binding referendums on the future of the New Zealand flag. First, between 20
November and 11 December 2015, New Zealanders will be invited to vote in a referendum on the question
If the New Zealand flag changes, which flag would you prefer?
Theyll be asked to rank the five alternative flag designs selected through the flag consideration process.
Then, in March 2016, there will be another referendum to choose between the most preferred option from
the first referendum and the current flag. The flag that receives the most votes in the second referendum
will be the official flag of New Zealand.
Who can vote?
Those who are eligible and correctly enrolled by 19 November can vote in the first flag referendum.
Where will voting places be?
These will be postal referendums, so voting papers will be sent in the mail. Its why we want to make sure
everyones ready to take part by enrolling, checking or updating their details now.
Where can I get information about the alternative flag designs?
The five alternative flag designs were developed through the consultation process led by the Flag
Consideration Panel, and information about the designs and process is available on their website at
www.flag.govt.nz.
Will participation rates in the first referendum have any bearing on the delivery of the second?
No. Parliament has passed legislation which means the second referendum must take place.

VOTING QUESTIONS
How will voting work?
These will be postal referendums, so your voting papers will be sent in the mail. Thats why its so important
to be correctly enrolled. Youll get your voting paper from 20 November, and have a couple of weeks to
make your choice and send it back. All the instructions will be in the pack, and your paper must be sent back
by post. Dont leave it until the last minute to post back your paper must be date-stamped before voting
ends on Friday 11 December and received by 12pm, Tuesday 15 December in order to count.
I dont understand the preferential voting system. How does it work?
Rather than picking one favourite, youll be ranking the flag options from your most preferred to your least
preferred. There will be full instructions in your voting pack, so youll get all the information you need to
help you complete the voting paper. You can also get more information about preferential voting on our
website at elections.org.nz
When do I need to get my paper back?
You need to get your voting paper into the post by Tuesday 8 December. If youve missed that deadline, you
need to drop it into a PostShop by Friday 11 December.

What if Im overseas?
You need to make sure youre eligible and enrolled. You are eligible to enrol and vote from overseas if you:

are 18 years or older; and

have lived in New Zealand for more than one year at some point in your life; and
you are a New Zealand citizen and have visited New Zealand within the last three years; or
you are a permanent resident of New Zealand and have visited New Zealand within the last 12
months.

You can either ask someone to send your voting paper to you, or once votings underway you can ask for a
paper to be sent to your overseas address. Youll be able to return your paper by post, fax or secure upload,
and full information will be in your voting pack about how to do that.
The law allows for New Zealand citizens living overseas to remain enrolled to vote for 3 years after they were
last in New Zealand. For New Zealand permanent residents the time period is 12 months. Each time they
return for a visit the time period starts again.
What if I dont get a voting pack?
Your voting pack should arrive between November 20 and 27. If you didnt get one, your address details may
need updating, or you may not be enrolled to vote. Go to www.elections.org.nz or call Freephone 0800 36
76 56 to check your details. If you are enrolled, we can send you a replacement voting paper. You will also
need to fill in and send us an enrolment form to update your details for next time.
What if I lose/spoil/make a mistake on my voting paper?
We can issue replacement voting papers from November 27 to people who have received the voting paper
but have spoilt, lost or destroyed it. Go to www.elections.org.nz or Freephone 0800 36 76 56 to request a
replacement voting paper. If you are issued with a replacement voting paper, the old one will be cancelled.
What happens if I say that I want to retain the current flag on my voting papers for the first referendum
and send them in?
If you mark the paper in a way that changes the flag images or the intent of the question, your vote will be
informal. An informal vote is recorded for any paper in which the voters first preference for one of the five
options cannot be determined. The results released by the Electoral Commission will include the total votes
received for each flag option, as well as the total number of informal votes.
How do I get a replacement voting paper?
Call Freephone 0800 36 76 56 or go to www.elections.org.nz and apply for one.
What if I ask for a new one and the old one turns up?
If you are issued with a replacement voting paper you must use the replacement voting paper. The old one
will be cancelled and will not be counted.
I cant fill in the voting paper myself, can I get someone else to do it for me?
Yes. You can ask any person including a friend or family member to help you to read the voting paper or to
mark your voting paper if you need help to do so. However, it must be done under your direction. No one,
not even a person with a power of attorney, can cast another persons vote for them.

Im vision impaired and wont be able to see the options. How do I take part?
Just like at the last general election, well be providing telephone dictation voting for those who are blind or
vision impaired. Detailed information including descriptions of the flag options will be coming out via the
Blind Foundation.
I enrolled for the first time just before voting started, will I get voting papers?
Yes. If you were enrolled by the start of the voting period, papers will be sent to you. They may just take a
couple of days longer to arrive.
I am on the Unpublished roll, do I get a postal ballot paper sent to me or do I have to do anything
different?
Postal ballot papers will be sent direct to you. Just complete them and send them back.

FACTS AND STATISTICS

Total enrolled population as at 31 August 2015: 3,410,120
Percentage of population enrolled: 92.24% of estimated eligible vote age population

PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT-INITIATED REFERENDA

Date of
referendum
Turnout
* held on day of
(total votes cast
general election
as % of enrolled
# held by postal
electors)
ballot

9 Mar 1949

3 Aug 1949

23 Sep 1967

27 Oct 1990*

19 Sep 1992

54.3

63.5

69.7

85.2

55.2

Topic and authorising Act

Off-course betting (Gaming Poll Act 1948)

I vote for the proposal.
I vote against the proposal.

Compulsory military training (Military Training

Poll Act 1949)
I vote for compulsory military training.
I vote against compulsory military training.
Term of Parliament (Electoral Poll Act 1967)
I vote for a maximum of three years as at
present.
I vote for a maximum of four years.

Result
(% of valid votes)

In favour 68.0
Against 32.0

In favour 77.9
Against 22.1

3 years 68.1
4 years 31.9

Term of Parliament (Term Poll Act 1990)

I vote for 3 years as the term of Parliament as at
present.
3 years 69.3
I vote for 4 years as the term of Parliament.
4 years 30.7

Voting system (Electoral Referendum Act 1991)

Part A
I vote to retain the present First-Past-The-Post
system.
I vote for a change to the voting system.
Part B
I vote for the Supplementary Member system
(SM)
I vote for the Single Transferable Vote system
(STV)
I vote for the Mixed Member Proportional
system (MMP)
I vote for the Preferential Voting system (PV)

Part A
Retain 15.3
Change 84.7
Part B
SM 5.6
STV 17.4
MMP 70.5
PV 6.6

Date of
referendum
Turnout
* held on day of
(total votes cast
general election
as % of enrolled
# held by postal
electors)
ballot

6 Nov 1993*

5-26 Sep 1997#

26 Nov 2011*

85.2

80.3

74.2%

Topic and authorising Act

Result
(% of valid votes)

Voting system (Electoral Referendum Act 1993)

I vote for the present First-Past-The-Post system
as provided in the Electoral Act 1956.
FPP 46.1
I vote for the proposed Mixed Member
MMP 53.9
Proportional system as provided in the Electoral
Act 1993
Compulsory Retirement Savings Scheme
(Compulsory Retirement Savings Scheme
Yes 8.2
Referendum Act 1997)
No 91.8
Do you support the proposed Compulsory
Retirement Savings Scheme?
Voting System (Electoral Referendum Act 2010)
Part A - Should New Zealand keep the Mixed
Member Proportional (MMP) voting system?
Part B - If New Zealand were to change to
another voting system, which voting system
would you choose?
First Past the Post (FPP)
Preferential Voting (PV)
Single Transferable Vote (STV)
Supplementary Member (SM)
Informal Votes*
* An informal vote is when the voter has not
clearly indicated the option for which they wish
to vote.

Keep 56.17%
Change 41.06%
31.19%
8.34%
11.19%
16.14%
33.14%