2 Dec 2025

The man who came close to designing New Zealand's official flag

From Nights, 8:30 pm on 2 December 2025

It has been 10 years since New Zealand took a good, hard look in the full-length mirror and asked: 'Do we need a new flag?'

Ten years ago, the first of our two flag referendums was held, voting on five designs for a new national flag.

The winner was the Kyle Lockwood flag: The Silver Fern - set in black and blue on either side.

But we know what happened next: in 2016, we voted to stick with what we knew, 57% to 43%.

Emile Donovan is joined by Kyle Lockwood himself, on the line from Australia.

The Black, White and Blue Silver Fern flag, designed by Kyle Lockwood

The Black, White and Blue Silver Fern flag, designed by Kyle Lockwood Photo: SUPPLIED