New Zealand’s national flag has a royal-blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist and four red five-pointed stars with white borders representing the Southern Cross.

What do the stars mean?

The four stars represent the Southern Cross constellation and New Zealand’s location in the South Pacific. The Union Jack reflects the country’s historical constitutional links with Britain.

History

A Southern Cross version of the New Zealand Blue Ensign was introduced for government ships in 1869. The New Zealand Ensign Act gave the design formal general recognition in 1902. A national referendum in 2015–2016 considered an alternative design, but voters chose to retain the existing flag.

• Southern Cross design: 1869
• Legal recognition: 1902
• Stars: four red stars with white borders