History Talk - New Zealand Flag

The design of the New Zealand Flag, the symbol of the realm government and people of New Zealand, with its royal blue background was inspired by the surrounding blue sea and clear sky. The Stars of the Southern Cross point to the country's location in the South Pacific Ocean. The Union Flag gives recognition to her historical foundations and the fact that New Zealand was once a British colony.

New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted before New Zealand became a British Colony.

United Tribes Ensign from 1845

Chosen by an assembly of Maori chiefs in 1834, the flag showed a St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1841, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for restricted use in 1869 and became the national flag in 1902. It is the British Blue Ensign, incorporating a stylized representation of the Southern Cross showing the four brightest stars in the constellation. Each star varies slightly in size. The Union Flag in the canton recalls New Zealand's colonial ties to Britain.

Queen's personal Flag

The Queen's Personal Flag for New Zealand symbolises the fact that Queen Elizabeth II is The Queen of New Zealand. Adopted in 1962, it is flown only by Her Majesty when in New Zealand. The Flag is the shield design of the New Zealand Coat of Arms in the form of an oblong or square. Superimposed in the centre is a dark blue roundel bearing a Roman E surmounted by a Royal Crown within a garland of roses all in gold? The only time The Queen's Personal Flag for New Zealand is flown in her absence is at parades held on and in honor of Her Majesty's Official Birthday

The national Maori flag was developed by members of a group named Te Kawariki in 1989.
On 6 February 1990, the group unveiled the flag at Waitangi.
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