I don’t have live access to the latest news right now, but I can summarize the most recent, well-documented discussions around New Zealand and Australia’s flags and point you to reliable sources.
Direct answer
- There hasn’t been a formal, widely adopted change to either country’s flag in the last couple of years; debates and occasional statements about flag design continue to surface periodically, especially around anniversaries or during elections in both countries.
Key context and where to check
- Historical background: New Zealand’s flag (blue ensign with the Southern Cross) and Australia’s flag (blue ensign with the Union Jack, Commonwealth Star, and the Southern Cross) have long been subjects of public discussion, but formal referenda or government-led changes have not become policy in recent years. For context on past debates, you can review credible coverage from 2010s and 2018–2019 wave of discussions. [cite web:DW1][cite web:Sky1]
- Recent developments to watch: official government statements, parliamentary debates, or major public opinion polls around flag symbolism tend to surface around national milestones or during elections. If you want, I can monitor and summarize any new developments as they appear.
Where to look for the latest
- Reputable news outlets with country-specific coverage (e.g., major national broadcasters, national newspapers) often publish brief updates when flag-related discussions resurface.
- Official government or parliamentary sites may post statements or referendum-related materials if a flag change moves forward.
Would you like me to search for the very latest updates and pull a brief, cited digest from current sources? If yes, tell me whether you prefer summaries from regional outlets (New Zealand or Australia) or cross-country coverage.
Sources
That was an awkward discovery for then-Prime Minister John Key, who had pumped the time and money into a design competition for a new flag and a referendum on choosing one. But in 2016, after a finalist for a new flag had been selected, almost 57 percent of Kiwis opted to keep their old flag.
www.ndtv.comActing PM Winston Peters claims Australia stole New Zealand's design, saying that "we got there first" and "people are confused".
news.sky.comFind the perfect australia and new zealand flags stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.
www.alamy.comNew Zealand's acting Prime Minister Winston Peters has accused Australia of copying his country's flag, telling its neighbor to get its own design.
www.10news.com“We had a flag that we’ve had for a long time, copied by Australia.”
www.sbs.com.auNew Zealand's acting prime minister wants Australia to come up with a new flag, claiming it copied New Zealand's. The Australian and New Zealand flags are often mixed up due to their similar appearance.
www.dw.comWinston Peters says Australia 'copied' New Zealand's national flag and should get a new one.
www.sbs.com.au