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Whangamomona Republic (New Zealand)

image located by Ben Cahoon, 23 November 2025

About Whangamomona Republic

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About Whangamomona Republic

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