This page is part of an mirror of © FOTW Flags Of The World website
This website is devoted to the science of vexillology (the study of flags).
All illustrations presented on this website serve exclusively to provide information in the context of vexillology.
The authors and hosts of this site explicitly distance themselfes from any symbols of unconstitutional organizations that may be depicted here.
Last modified: 2025-12-13 by ian macdonald
Keywords: whangamomona republic |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
![[Whangamomona Republic ]](../images/n/nz-whan89.jpg)
image
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
Advertisement from our sponsor:
Bei Fahnenversand.de erhalten Sie eine Vielzahl an hochwertigen Flaggen, Pins und Aufnähern, zum Beispiel:
