New Zealand

New Zealand
Adopted	March 24, 1902
Designed by	Albert Hastings Markham
Proportions	1:2

Civil ensign

Naval ensign

Civil Air ensign

Customs Ensign

Air Force Ensign

Police Ensign

Fire Service Ensign

The flag of New Zealand is a blue ensign with the Union Jack in the canton, and four red stars with white borders in the fly. The stars represent the constellation of Crux (AKA the Southern Cross.)

Symbolism

The current version of the flag was adopted for restricted use on 23 October 1869, as the ensign for use on government vessels. On 12 June 1902, admist all the pomp and patriotism surrounding the South African War, the ensign became the national and state flag for New Zealand. The flag has a highly stylized representation of the Southern Cross constellation, and only depicts four of the five stars; the smaller Epsilon Crucis is not on shown.

Specifications

Colours

• Blue: Pantone 280 C (websafe RGB 0-0-102)
• Red: Pantone 186 C (websafe RGB 204-0-0)