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The Flag of New Zealand was introduced in 1869. It was initially used only on Government ships, but was soon adopted as the de facto national flag. It was officially made the national flag by Parliament in 1902. It is a dark blue ensign with the Union Flag, in the top left hand corner, with four red stars with white borders to the right.
The Union Flag symbolises New Zealand's Commonwealth heritage. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. Starting at 6 o'clock and going clockwise, the stars are Acrux, Becrux, gamma Crucis and delta Crucis. The horizontal limb intersects the vertical limb at an angle of 82 degrees.
The flag proportion is 2:1 and the colours are Red (Pantone 186), Blue (Pantone 280) and White. Proportion and colours are identical to the Union Flag.
There is also a New Zealand red ensign which became the official flag for merchant vessels in 1901.[1] (http://flagspot.net/flags/nz_ens.html#cen) Previously a plain red ensign was used.
Example of a Red Ensign used by New Zealand's Maoris The red ensign may continue to be flown on land in Maori areas or during Maori events under the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981[2] (http://www.mch.govt.nz/nzflag/other-flags.htm) in recognition of long held Maori preference for red flags. New Zealand law allows the defacement of the flag in accordance to Maori custom in which white capital letters identifying a particular family or Maori tribe are added. In the case of the flag on the left, TAKITIMU refers to a grouping of Maori tribes descended from the crew of the ancestral canoe of that name [3] (http://flagspot.net/flags/nz_mao.html#red).
Today, private and merchant craft can choose to fly the Flag of New Zealand (ie the blue ensign) or the Southern Cross red ensign.
Maori flag selected in a 1990 competition. The flag debate
For several years a number of people have been proposing designs for an alternative flag for New Zealand (see examples below).
Proponents of the idea claim that the present flag is old-fashioned, doesn't evoke emotional feelings and has little connection with the land. Many also object to the presence of the Union Flag (also known as Union Jack) on the flag, or to its similarities to the Australian flag.
Opponents say that this is the New Zealand flag, we choose it, and we should be proud of it. It represents the history and geography of the country. The flag is distinctive, colourful, and a good design. It is the flag New Zealanders have fought and died under, and has represented the country for 135 years. It is not as similar to the Australian flag as if often suggested, and many countries have flags that are very similar, or even identical, to the flags of other countries.
Currently opinion polls indicate a majority in favour of retaining the present flag and as yet proponents of changing the flag are still undecided as to which design should replace the flag.
Alternative flag designed by Lloyd Morrison and Cameron Sanders |
Alternative flag designed by Jason Paul Troup |
Alternative flag designed by Kyle Lockwood |
External links
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