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New Zealand Flag
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The New Zealand flag like any other Countries flag is twice as long as it wide. This simply makes sense if you want it to look all heroic and fluttering in a force five gale or on the helm of a ship.

The main body of the current flag, the field as it’s called, is a blue ensign. The Union Jack sits in the upper left corner or Canton (quarter).

There are four red stars with white borders to the right of the Canton. These represent the Southern Cross (constellation of Crux) in the night sky as seen from New Zealand.


The First Flag From The United Tribes Of New Zealand	The Present New Zealand Ensign	The Proposed & Redesigned Flag of New Zealand

Sticklers for all things Astronomical will be quick to point out that the Southern Cross consists of five stars and not four. The meaning of the New Zealand Ensign though is clear and with the stars being slightly different sizes it gives more credence to representing a actual constellation.

The flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs in 1834. They rejected using the Union Jack and instead the flag was of a St. George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field.

The proposed redesign (among many under consideration) embraces the idea that the silver fern represents the strongest symbol to all New Zealander's. It has been widely used in many ways historically particularly sports.

The colours black and white were chosen for their powerful simplicity and their connection with, and roots in, New Zealand.

For now though as designs of a New Zealand flag go the current one stands tall with its blue, red and white colours and stars.

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New Zealand FlagBy Design

New Zealand Flag
By Design