Flag of New Zealand: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The flag of New Zealand was introduced in 1869 and adopted as the national flag in 1902. It consists of a dark blue field with the Union Flag, in the top left hand corner, and 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, Mimosa, 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.