New Zealand .nz

Meaning of the Flag

The flag of New Zealand (Māori: te haki o Aotearoa), also known as the New Zealand Ensign, is based on the British maritime Blue Ensign – a blue field with the Union Jack in the canton or upper hoist corner – augmented or defaced with four red stars centred within four white stars, representing the Southern Cross constellation. New Zealand's first internationally accepted national flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted in 1834, six years before New Zealand's separation from New South Wales and creation as a separate colony following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The Southern Cross constellation is one of the striking features of the Southern Hemisphere sky, and has been used to represent New Zealand, among other Southern Hemisphere colonies, since the early days of European settlement. From November 1941 to October 1984 the Ceremony of Honouring the Flag Regulations 1941 required state schools to commemorate Waitangi, Anzac, Empire, King's birthday, Trafalgar, Armistice and Dominion Days.

Meaning of Flag Colors

Red, Blue, White

Flag History

1. 1831
   The trading ship Sir George Murray, built at Horeke in the Hokianga and bought by Thomas McDonnell in 1831, later that year flew a flag of St George's cross with a blue canton charged with a half moon.
2. 1951–1957
   

   Flag in use 1951–1957.
3. 1958–1967
   

   Flag in use 1958–1967.
4. 1801
   

   Flag in use 1801.
5. 1834–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1834.

Location