New Zealand Flag
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The first flag was adopted on 9 March 1834 by a vote made by the United Tribes of New Zealand, a meeting of Māori chiefs, who later made the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand at Waitangi in 1835. The flag is still flown on Waitangi Day.
It was Busby's hope that the flag would encourage the Maori to act collectively and this was partially fulfilled when many of the chiefs involved in the Tribal flag went on to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1835.
The main significance though was that because New Zealand was recognised by having a flag of its own it meant the mana of the Maori was acknowledged. At the time this was immensely important on moving the nation forward collectively.
The fly in the ointment (isn't there always one) was the new Lieutenant Governor William Hobson who removed the United Tribes flag from the Bay of Islands and had all other versions of the tribal flag taken down.
The Maori felt strongly about this as it implied, and probably for Hobson meant, a rejection of equal status his government.
After the formation of the colony in 1841, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for use in 1869 and became the national flag of New Zealand in 1902.
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