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![[Whangamomona Republic ]](../images/n/nz-whan89.jpg)
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located by Ben Cahoon, 23 November 2025 See also:
In November 1989, Whangamomona (Whangamōmona), New Zealand, declared itself the
"Republic of Whangamomona" in protest against being rezoned into a new district
against the residents' wishes. This move was made in jest, leading to the
creation of a self-proclaimed republic with its own flag, passports, and
presidential elections. It still is using this to entice travelers to visit this
tiny rural community.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangamōmona
"Republic Day In 1989, regional council boundaries were redrawn, with an
emphasis on connected catchments. These revised maps made Whangamōmona part of
the then-Manawatu-Wanganui Region since the Whangamōmona River is a tributary of
the Whanganui River. Residents objected, as they wanted to continue being part
of the Taranaki Region, and on 1 November 1989, they responded by declaring
themselves the "Republic of Whangamomona" at the first Republic Day. Though the
move began as a pointed protest, the town continued to hold a celebratory
Republic Day once a year, during which a vote for president was held. The day
has become a local festival day, and attracts visitors from throughout the North
Island. In 2001, the celebration became biennial, held in January to take
advantage of the summer weather"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/whangamomona-new-zealand-self-declared-republic-feature
"Whangamōmona's journey to become a republic began in 1989, when a local
government reform process redrew the boundaries of district and county councils.
The reforms meant the town would be part of the Manawatū-Whanganui region,
rather than Taranaki – and residents weren't happy.
"Someone said, why
don’t we … form our own patch. And that evolved into forming a republic,"
Stratford district mayor Neil Volzke says. Stratford is about an hour away, the
nearest large town to Whangamōmona.
"They elected a president and
declared themselves a republic. It's a mocking of the whole system. But it
captured the imagination of people: here's this tiny, rural community giving the
middle finger to the bureaucracy."
Image of news article and hand
made checked border flag close up (nz-whangamomona89.jpg) from Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/61569719403318
Ben Cahoon, 23 November 2025
