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{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{Short description|National flag}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = New Zealand
| Nickname = 
| Image = Flag of New Zealand.svg
| Use = 111010
| Symbol = {{FIAV|111010}} {{FIAV|normal}} {{FIAV|Mirror}}
| Proportion = 1:2
| Adoption = {{Start date and age|1902|03|24|df=y}}<br />(In use since 1869)
| Design = A [[Blue Ensign]] with a Union Jack in the first quarter and four five-pointed red stars with white borders on the fly representing the [[Crux|Southern Cross]].
| Designer = [[Albert Hastings Markham]]
| Use2 = [[Civil ensign]]
| Symbol2 = {{FIAV|000100}} {{FIAV|normal}} {{FIAV|Mirror}}
| Image2 = Civil Ensign of New Zealand.svg
| Nickname2 = New Zealand Red Ensign
| Proportion2 = 1:2
| Adoption2 = Introduced in 1903.
| Design2 = A [[Red Ensign]] with a Union Jack in the first quarter and four five-pointed white stars on the fly representing the [[Crux|Southern Cross]].
| Image3 = Naval Ensign of New Zealand.svg
| Nickname3 = [[New Zealand White Ensign]]
| Proportion3 = 1:2
| Use3 = 000001
| Symbol3 = {{FIAV|000001}} {{FIAV|normal}} {{FIAV|Mirror}}
| Adoption3 = Introduced in 1968.
| Design3 = A defaced [[White Ensign|British White Ensign]] with four five-pointed red stars representing the [[Crux|Southern Cross]].
| Use4 = [[Air force ensign]]
| Image4 = Air Force Ensign of New Zealand.svg
| Nickname4 = [[Royal New Zealand Air Force Ensign]]
| Proportion4 = 1:2
| Adoption4 = Introduced in 1939.
| Design4 = A modified form of the [[RAF Ensign]] with the letters "NZ" superimposed in white over the central red disc.
| Use5 = [[Cricket]]
| Image5 = 
| Nickname5 = [[Black Caps|Blackcaps]]
| Adoption5 = Introduced in 1930.
| Design5 = Used by [[New Zealand Cricket]]
}}

The flag of [[New Zealand]] ({{lang-mi|Te haki o Aotearoa}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Wilson |first1=John |title=Tuakiri o Aotearoa me te kāwanatanga - Te tuakiri o Aotearoa |url=https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/2574/te-haki-o-aotearoa |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=14 July 2019 |language=mi |date=16 September 2016 |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713140148/https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/2574/te-haki-o-aotearoa |url-status=live }}</ref>), also known as the '''New Zealand Ensign''',<ref name="act">{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1981/0047/latest/whole.html#DLM52200|title=Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 No 47 (as at 03 June 2017), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation|website=legislation.govt.nz|access-date=26 April 2013|archive-date=6 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506164211/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1981/0047/latest/whole.html#DLM52200|url-status=live}}</ref> is based on the British maritime [[Blue Ensign]]{{dash}}a blue field with the [[Union Jack]] in the ''[[canton (flag)|canton]]'' or upper hoist corner{{dash}}augmented or ''[[Defacement (flag)|defaced]]'' with four [[red star]]s centred within four white stars, representing the [[Southern Cross]] constellation.<ref name="flags">{{cite web|url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags|title=Flags|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]]|date=23 July 2010|access-date=6 September 2011|archive-date=27 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227043301/http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags}}</ref>

New Zealand's first internationally accepted [[national flag]], the [[flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand]], was adopted in 1834, six years before New Zealand's separation from [[New South Wales]] and creation as a [[Colony of New Zealand|separate colony]] following the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]] in 1840. Chosen by an assembly of [[Māori people|Māori]] chiefs at Waitangi in 1834, the flag was of a [[St George's Cross]] with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1840, British ensigns began to be used. The current flag was designed and adopted for use on the colony's ships in 1869, was quickly adopted as New Zealand's national flag, and given statutory recognition in 1902.

For several decades there has been [[#Debate|debate about changing the flag]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35878485|title=The tangled tale of New Zealand's flag debate|last=Jones|first=Anna|date=2016-03-24|access-date=2019-06-12|work=[[BBC News]]|language=en-GB|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531113710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35878485|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, a [[#2015–16 referendums|two-stage binding referendum]] on a flag change took place with voting on the second final stage closing on 24 March. In this referendum, the country voted to keep the existing flag by 57% to 43%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35888474|title=New Zealand votes to keep current flag|date=24 March 2016|access-date=2019-06-12|work=BBC News|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618180120/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35888474|url-status=live}}</ref><!--See section below about the referendums-->

==Design==
[[File:NZ flag Photo.jpg|thumb|The flag of New Zealand flying outside the [[Beehive (building)|Beehive]] in Wellington]]

=== Devices ===
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Constituent parts of the flag of New Zealand" class="infobox" style="font-size:105%; line-height:1.3; width:225px;">
Flags of the Union Jack.svg|{{small|Flags forming the Union Jack}}
Southern Cross (New Zealand).svg|{{small|[[Southern Cross]]}}
</gallery>

The flag of New Zealand uses two prominent symbols:<ref name="MCH">{{cite web |title = Description and dimensions |url = https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/description-and-dimensions |publisher = [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |access-date = 8 June 2018 |archive-date = 30 January 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180130122309/https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/description-and-dimensions |url-status = live }}</ref>
* The [[Union Jack]] (or Union Flag){{NoteTag|The terms "Union Jack" and "Union Flag" are both historically correct for describing the de facto national flag of the United Kingdom. Whether the term "Union Jack" applies only when used as a [[jack (flag)|jack]] flag on a ship is a modern matter of debate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/ |website=The Flag Institute |title=The Union Jack or The Union Flag? |first=Bruce |last=Nicolls |language=en |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613075402/http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag |url-status=live }}</ref> The chief vexillologist of the British [[Flag Institute]], [[Graham Bartram]], has stated that either name is perfectly valid whatever the purpose.<ref>{{cite AV media |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZHkmvOKPx0 |title = UNION JACK - discussion on BBC Broadcasting House |publisher=[[YouTube]] |time = 00:23:50–00:27:42 |date=19 October 2013 |access-date = 9 June 2018 }}</ref> }}
* The [[Southern Cross]] (or ''Crux'')

In its original usage as the flag of [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], the Union Jack combined three heraldic [[cross]]es which represent the [[countries of the United Kingdom]] (as constituted in 1801):<ref>{{cite book |title=The European Magazine: And London Review |volume=39 |publisher=Philological Society of London |year=1801 |page=74 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qV83AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA74 |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125210918/https://books.google.com/books?id=qV83AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA74 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The red [[St George's Cross]] of [[England]]
* The white diagonal [[Saltire|St Andrew's Cross]] of [[Scotland]]
* The red diagonal [[St Patrick's Cross]] of [[Ireland]]

The Union Jack reflects New Zealand's [[Colony of New Zealand|origins as a British colony]].<ref name="Wilson1">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Wilson |first=John |title=The New Zealand flag |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2574/the-new-zealand-flag |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |language=en |date=16 September 2016 |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141456/https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2574/the-new-zealand-flag |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Southern Cross constellation is one of the striking features of the [[Southern Hemisphere]] sky, and has been used to represent New Zealand, among other Southern Hemisphere colonies, since the early days of European [[Settler colonialism|settlement]].<ref name="Wassilieff">{{cite web |last = Wassilieff |first = Maggy |title = Southern Cross - A national icon |publisher = Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url = https://teara.govt.nz/en/southern-cross/page-1 |access-date = 8 June 2018 |date = 12 June 2006 |archive-date = 12 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143434/https://teara.govt.nz/en/southern-cross/page-1 |url-status = live }}</ref> Additionally, in [[Māori mythology]] the Southern Cross is identified as ''Māhutonga'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Māhutonga |url=http://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/3522 |work=Te Aka Online Māori Dictionary |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142432/http://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/3522 |url-status=live }}</ref> an aperture in ''Te Ikaroa'' (the [[Milky Way]]) through which storm winds escaped.<ref name="Wassilieff" />

===Specifications===
The flag should be rectangular in shape and its length should be two times its width, translating into an aspect ratio of 1:2.<ref name="flags" /> It has a royal blue background with a Union Jack in the [[Canton (flag)|canton]], and four five-pointed red stars centred within four five-pointed white stars on the [[Glossary of vexillology|fly]] (outer or right-hand side).<ref name="MCH"/> The exact colours are specified as [[Pantone]] 186 C (red), Pantone 280 C (blue), and white.<ref name="flags" /> According to the [[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]], the government department responsible for the flag, the royal blue background is "reminiscent of the blue sea and sky surrounding us", and the stars "signify [New Zealand's] place in the South Pacific Ocean".<ref name="flags" /> The New Zealand Government history website states: "Its royal blue background is derived from the ensign of the Blue Squadron of the Royal Navy."<ref name="nzhistory2">{{cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/flags-of-new-zealand|date=16 October 2019|title=Flags of New Zealand Page 1 – Introduction|publisher=Ministry of Culture and Heritage|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref>
{{Plain image with caption|image=Flag of New Zealand (construction sheet).svg|caption=Construction sheet|width=600px|align=centre|caption position=bottom}}

The notice that appeared in the ''[[New Zealand Gazette]]'' on 27 June 1902 gave a technical description of the stars and their positions on the New Zealand Ensign:<ref name="MCH"/>

{{Blockquote|"The centres of the stars forming the long limb of the cross shall be on a vertical line on the fly, midway between the Union Jack and the outer edge of the fly, and equidistant from its upper and lower edges; and the distance apart of the centres of the stars shall be equal to thirty-six sixtieths the hoist of the ensign.

The centres of the stars forming the short limb of the cross shall be on a line intersecting the vertical limb at an angle of 82 therewith, and rising from near the lower fly corner of the Union Jack towards the upper fly corner of the ensign, its point of intersection with the vertical line being distant from the centre of the uppermost star of the cross twelve-sixtieths of the hoist of the ensign.

The distance of the centre of the star nearest the outer edge of the fly from the point of intersection shall be equal to twelve-sixtieths of the hoist of the ensign, and the distance of the centre of the star nearest the Union Jack from the point of intersection shall be equal to fourteen-sixtieths of the hoist of the ensign.

The star nearest the fly edge of the ensign shall measure five-sixtieths, the star at the top of the cross and that nearest to the Union Jack shall each measure six-sixtieths, and the star at the bottom of the cross shall measure seven-sixtieths of the hoist of the ensign across their respective red points, and the width of the white borders to the several stars shall in all cases be equal to one one-hundred-and-twentieth of the hoist of the ensign."
}}

==History==

=== Early flags of New Zealand ===
[[File:Kaitaka Cloth.jpg|alt=A photo of a woven cloak laid flag. It is mostly off-white, with geometric designs along its left, right, and bottom borders.|left|thumb|This contemporary [[kaitaka]] cloak is representative of typical kaitaka designs during the mid-19th&nbsp;century, being mostly natural colours with geometric designs on the borders. The design of the kaitaka flown on the ''Sir George Murray'' is not specified in documents.]]
There is no recorded flag culture among the Māori before Europeans introduced them to New Zealand. By the early 1800s, flags had become an important part of Māori culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title=Māori adoption of flags |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/nga-haki-maori-and-flags/page-1 |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> During this time, some Māori attached fern leaves or [[Māori traditional textiles|traditional woven cloth]], such as paki, to their ships when participating in international trade.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 2016 |title=New Zealand's earliest 'flags' have origins in the Hokianga |url=http://icomos.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ICOMOS-NZ-News-2016-04.pdf |journal=ICOMOS New Zealand NEWS |pages=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Zealand flag facts / Malcolm Mulholland. |url=https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE25730974 |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> These are considered by some to be the first flags of New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Binney |first=Judith |title=An Illustrated History of New Zealand |publisher=Allen & Unwin |year=1990 |editor=J. Binney |editor2=J. Bassett |editor3=E Olssen |location=Wellington |pages=80 |chapter=Two communities 1820–1839}}</ref>

In 1830, the [[Merchant ship|trading ship]] ''Sir George Murray'', built in the [[Hokianga]], sailed to the port of [[Sydney]] flying a kaitaka flag.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taonga |first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu |title=Early national flags |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/nga-haki-maori-and-flags/page-2 |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=teara.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref> The ship was seized by customs officials in the port who deemed the cloth not to meet the British navigation laws requiring ships to fly national ensigns. Among the passengers on the ship were two high-ranking [[Māori people|Māori]] chiefs, believed to be [[Eruera Maihi Patuone|Patuone]] and [[Aperahama Taonui|Taonui]]. The ship's detention was reported as arousing indignation among the Māori population.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 June 2012 |title=United Tribes flag |url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/united-tribes-flag |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805070258/http://www.mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/united-tribes-flag |archive-date=5 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |publisher=[[Ministry for Culture and Heritage]] |location=New Zealand |quote=Without a flag to represent the new nation, trading ships and their valuable cargoes were liable to be seized}}</ref>

The ''Murray'' was sold at auction to Thomas McDonnell who flew a St. George's cross with a blue canton charged with a half moon from the ship. This flag was described by the ''Sydney Herald'' as 'the New Zealand colours', though they may have been simply McDonnell's house flag.<ref name=":0" />

=== Flag of the United Tribes ===
{{Main|Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand}}
[[File:The flag post by the treaty house - Waitangi.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The flag pole at [[Waitangi, Northland|Waitangi]], flying (left – right) the Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, the Ensign of the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] and the Union Jack, 5 February 2006]]

The first flag of New Zealand was adopted 9 (or 20) March 1834 by a vote made by the [[United Tribes of New Zealand]], a meeting of Māori chiefs convened at [[Waitangi, Northland|Waitangi]] by British resident [[James Busby]]. The United Tribes later made the [[Declaration of Independence of New Zealand]] at Waitangi in 1835. Three flags were proposed, all designed by the missionary [[Henry Williams (missionary)|Henry Williams]], who was to play a major role in the translation of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The chiefs rejected two other proposals which included the Union Jack, in favour of a modified [[St George's Cross]] or the [[White Ensign]], which was the flag used by Henry Williams on the Church Missionary Society ships.<ref name="nzhistory_taming">{{cite web |work = NZHistory |title = United Tribes flag |date = 19 November 2010 |url = http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/taming-the-frontier/united-tribes-flag |publisher = Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date = 26 August 2010 |archive-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101030232423/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/taming-the-frontier/united-tribes-flag |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Fitzgerald">{{cite book |first = Caroline |last = Fitzgerald |title = Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North |year = 2011 |isbn = 978-1-86969-439-5 |publisher= Huia Press |page =  231 }}</ref> This flag became known as the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/flags-of-new-zealand/united-tribes-flag |title=Flags of New Zealand: United Tribes flag |work=NZHistory |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |date=20 March 2010 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104190032/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/flags-of-new-zealand/united-tribes-flag |url-status=live }}</ref> and was officially gazetted in New South Wales in August 1835, with a general description not mentioning [[fimbriation]] or the number of points on the stars.{{NoteTag|"His Excellency the Governor is pleased to direct it to be notified, for general information, that a Despatch has recently been received from the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, conveying His Majesty's approbation of an arrangement made by this Government for complying with the wishes of the Chiefs of New Zealand to adopt a National Flag in their collective capacity, and also, of the Registrar of Vessels, built in that country, granted by the Chiefs and certified by the British Resident, being considered as valid instruments, and respected as such in the intercourse which those Vessels may hold with the British Possessions. The following is a description of the Flag which has been adopted: A Red St. George's Cross on a White ground. In the first quarter, a Red St. George's Cross on a Blue ground, pierced with four white stars."<ref>{{cite news |date= 9 September 1835 |title= Government Notice, Colonial Secretary's Office. Sept. 9, 1835, New Zealand |newspaper= The Cornwall Chronicle |location= Launceston, Tasmania |access-date= 15 June 2014 |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65953917 |archive-date= 27 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200927220342/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65953917 |url-status= live }}</ref>}}

The United Tribes' flag is still flown on the flag pole at Waitangi, and can be seen on [[Waitangi Day]].<ref name="nzhistory">{{cite web |url=http://history-nz.org/colonisation2.html |title=The colonisation of New Zealand |work=New Zealand in History |first=Robbie |last=Whitmore |year=2006 |access-date=28 December 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123210301/http://history-nz.org/colonisation2.html }}</ref>

{{gallery
|title=Flag of the United Tribes
|width=180
|height=100
|align=center
|File:Proposed flag of New Zealand 1834.svg|alt1=Proposed flag of New Zealand 1834|{{FIAV|proposal}} Proposed flag not adopted by Māori; it included the Union Jack and lacked sufficient red.
|File:UnitedTribesUnofficial.svg|alt2=Initial design of the United Tribes flag.|{{FIAV|proposal}} Initial design of the United Tribes flag
|File:Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand.svg|alt3=The Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand.|{{FIAV|normal}} The Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand
}}

===Union Jack===
[[File:HekeFlagstaff.jpg|thumb|[[Hōne Heke]] cutting down the flagstaff flying the Union Jack at [[Kororāreka]], 1844]]
After the signing of the [[Treaty of Waitangi]], the Union Jack was used, although the former United Tribes flag was still used by a number of ships from New Zealand and in many cases on land. The [[New Zealand Company]] settlement at [[Wellington]], for example, continued to use the United Tribes flag until Governor [[William Hobson]] sent a small armed force to Wellington in May 1840 (following his declaration of British sovereignty).<ref name="nzhistory" /><ref>{{DNZB|last=Simpson|first=K. A.|id=1h29|title=Hobson, William – Biography|access-date=3 April 2011}}</ref>{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=43}} The Union Jack, as a symbol of British authority, became the focus of the [[Flagstaff War]] which began in 1844, marking (according to some historians) the start of the [[New Zealand Wars]].

The Union Jack was described as the "superior flag", to be flown above the New Zealand flag prior to 1965.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=48}}

===Flags based on defaced Blue Ensign===
{{main|Blue Ensign}}

During the [[Invasion of the Waikato]] (July 1863 – April 1864) period of the [[New Zealand Wars]] the British forces realised they needed access to colonial ships to fight Māori. The colonial government subsequently acquired vessels which were staffed by Royal Navy officers. The vessels were under local and not Admiralty control. An armed ship, ''Victoria'', owned by the [[Colony of Victoria]] transported reinforcements to New Zealand for the campaign and took part in bombardments of Māori. The British government was concerned about its colonies developing their own navies, not under the control of the [[Royal Navy]]'s Admiralty.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=51}}

This led to the British parliament passing the [[Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/imp_act_1881/cnda186528a29vc14242/|title=Colonial Naval Defence Act 1865|publisher=New Zealand Legal Information Institute|date=1865|access-date=17 April 2019|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417015122/http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/imp_act_1881/cnda186528a29vc14242/|url-status=live}}</ref> which allowed the colonial governments to own ships, including for military purposes, under the provision that they would have to be under the Royal Navy's command.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=52}} In 1866 the British Admiralty advised colonies that if they possessed vessels governed by the Act, they must fly the Royal Navy Blue Ensign but that they must also include on the flag the seal or badge of the colony.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=50}} New Zealand did not have a colonial badge, or indeed a coat of arms of its own at this stage, and so in 1867 the letters "NZ" were simply added to the blue ensign,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flaggenlexikon.de/fneuseel.htm |title=Flagge Neuseeland |access-date=7 September 2003 |author=Volker Preuß |language=de |archive-date=25 August 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030825004024/http://www.flaggenlexikon.de/fneuseel.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> following a decree by Governor [[George Grey]] on 15 January 1867.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=54}}

[[File:Albert Hastings Markham.jpg|thumb|upright|Admiral [[Albert Hastings Markham]], designer of the flag of New Zealand]]
In 1869 the then First Lieutenant of the Royal Navy vessel [[HMS Blanche (1867)|''Blanche'']], [[Albert Hastings Markham]], submitted a design to Sir [[George Bowen]], the [[Governor of New Zealand]], for a national ensign for New Zealand. This followed a request by Bowen to Markham to come up with a new flag design, following a request to Bowen from the Colonial Office.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=55}} His proposal, incorporating the [[Southern Cross]], was approved on 23 October 1869.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/polar/markham.htm |title=''Rear-Admiral Sir Albert Hastings Markham'', Norfolk Museums and Archeology Service |access-date=18 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602123145/http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/polar/markham.htm |archive-date=2 June 2008}}</ref> It was initially to be used only on government ships.{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=55}}

To end confusion between various designs of the flag, New Zealand's [[Liberal Government of New Zealand|Liberal Government]] passed the New Zealand Ensign Act 1901, which was approved by King [[Edward VII]] on 24 March 1902.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rbvex.it/oceanpag/nzel.html|publisher=rbvex.it|title=New Zealand Signalling Ensign|language=it|access-date=20 August 2004|archive-date=20 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820205815/http://www.rbvex.it/oceanpag/nzel.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Mulholland|2016|p=66}}

{{gallery
|title=Historical flags
|width=180
|height=100
|align=center
|File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|alt2=Blue flag with the Union Jack in the upper left quadrant|{{FIAV|historical}} The [[Blue Ensign]]
|File:Flag of New Zealand Government Ships 1867.svg|alt3=Same as previous, but with the letters 'NZ' in red in the lower right quadrant|{{FIAV|historical}} The naval flag of New Zealand, 1867–1869
|File:New Zealand Code Signals Flag (1899).png|alt4=Blue Ensign defaced with a white disk containing a red Southern Cross|{{FIAV|historical}} The Code Signals Flag, 1899<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/new-zealand-signalling-flag |publisher=NZ History.net.nz |title=New Zealand Signalling Flag |access-date=20 January 2012 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310172822/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/new-zealand-signalling-flag |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

=== Flown in battle ===
One of the first recorded accounts of the New Zealand Blue Ensign flag being flown in battle was at Quinn's Post, [[Gallipoli]], in 1915. It was not flown officially. The flag was brought back to New Zealand by Private John Taylor, Canterbury Battalion.<ref>{{Cite web|title = New Zealand flag from Quinn's Post {{!}} NZHistory, New Zealand history online|url = http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/quinns-post-flag|website = www.nzhistory.net.nz|access-date = 26 September 2015|archive-date = 24 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093850/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/quinns-post-flag|url-status = live}}</ref> The first time the flag of New Zealand was flown in a naval battle and the first time officially in any battle, was from [[HMNZS Achilles (70)|HMS ''Achilles'']] during the [[Battle of the River Plate]] in 1939.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19400223.1.9&e=-------10--31----0New+Zealand+ensign|title=The "Diggers' " flag, the New Zealand Ensign, flying at the masthead of Achilles during the naval battle|publisher=Auckland Star|volume=LXXI|issue=46|date=23 February 1940|page=9|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104225333/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19400223.1.9&e=-------10--31----0New+Zealand+ensign|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Flag law and protocol ==
[[File:New Zealand flag half mast.jpg|thumb|upright|The flag flying at half-mast from the Matariki Building at [[University of Canterbury]] on the day of the death of [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]]]]
The Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 governs the usage of the national flag and all other official flags.<ref name="act" /> This act, like most other laws, can be amended or repealed by a [[Plurality (voting)|simple majority]] in Parliament.<ref name="Buschbacher">{{cite journal |last1=Buschbacher |first1=Sigrid Brigitte |date=2005 |title=Protection of public symbols in New Zealand and the United States of America: Flag burning versus freedom of expression |url=https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/nzpglejournal/Subscribe/Documents/2005-2/3%20Siggi's%20Final.pdf |url-status=live |journal=The New Zealand Postgraduate Law e-Journal |publisher=[[University of Auckland Law School]] |issue=2 |pages=3–4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129083239/https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/nzpglejournal/Subscribe/Documents/2005-2/3%20Siggi's%20Final.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2018 |access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> Section 5(2) of the act declares the flag to be "the symbol of the Realm, Government, and people of New Zealand". Section 11(1) outlines two [[crime|offences]]: altering the flag without lawful authority, and using, displaying, damaging or destroying the flag in or within view of a public place with the intention of dishonouring it.<ref name="act" />

The [[minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage]] has authority to prescribe when and how the flag should be flown and what the standard sizes, dimensions, proportions and colours should be.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Flag law and protocol |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-5 |access-date=8 June 2018 |date=20 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143606/https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-5 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |last1=Pollock |first1=Kerryn |url-status=live}}</ref> In its advisory role, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has issued guidelines to assist persons in their use of the flag. No permission is needed to fly the flag, and it may be flown on every day of the year—government and public buildings with flagpoles are especially encouraged to fly the flag during working hours. However, it should never be flown in a dilapidated condition.<ref name="protocol">{{cite web |date=30 November 2017 |title=Flying the New Zealand Flag |url=https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/flying-new-zealand-flag |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142638/https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/flying-new-zealand-flag |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |language=en-NZ}}</ref>

From November 1941 to October 1984 the Ceremony of Honouring the Flag Regulations 1941 required [[State school#New Zealand|state schools]] to commemorate [[Waitangi Day|Waitangi]], [[Anzac Day|Anzac]], [[Empire Day|Empire]], [[King's Official Birthday|King's birthday]], [[Trafalgar Day|Trafalgar]], [[Armistice Day|Armistice]] and [[Dominion Day]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ceremony Of Honouring The Flag Regulations 1941 |url=http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/num_reg/cohtfr1941403/ |website=www.nzlii.org |access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> In 1984 the cost of flags and poles was estimated to be $340,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flags in schools |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/flags-schools |access-date=2021-09-18 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |language=en}}</ref>

Unlike some other countries there is no single official "[[Flag Day]]" in New Zealand, and no [[pledge of allegiance]] to the flag.<ref name="Buschbacher" /> Flag flying may be encouraged on certain [[List of commemorative days|commemorative days]], at the discretion of the minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.<ref name="protocol" />

The flag is usually only used as a vehicle flag by certain high-ranking officeholders, including: the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|prime minister]] and other ministers; ambassadors and high commissioners (when overseas); and the [[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|chief of Defence Force]]. In such cases, no distinguishing defacement or fringing of the flag is used.<ref>{{cite web |title=Displaying the New Zealand Flag |url=https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/displaying-new-zealand-flag |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144013/https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/displaying-new-zealand-flag |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |language=en}}</ref>

The flag is [[Half-mast#New Zealand|flown at half-mast in New Zealand]]—always at the discretion of the minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage—to indicate a period of mourning. Notable occasions on which the flag was half-masted include: the death of former prime minister [[David Lange]], the death and state funeral of mountaineer [[Edmund Hillary|Sir Edmund Hillary]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Half-masting the New Zealand Flag occasion |url=https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/half-masting-new-zealand-flag-occasions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142838/https://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/flags/half-masting-new-zealand-flag-occasions |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}</ref> and the death of  [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mch.govt.nz/new-zealand-flag-fly-half-mast-mark-death-her-majesty-elizabeth-ii-queen-new-zealand |title=New Zealand Flag to fly at half-mast to mark the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand |access-date=24 May 2023 |url-status=live|archive-date=24 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524112609/https://mch.govt.nz/new-zealand-flag-fly-half-mast-mark-death-her-majesty-elizabeth-ii-queen-new-zealand}}</ref> When the flag is flown at half-mast, it should be lowered to a position recognisably at half-mast to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole; the flag should be at least its own height from the top of the flagpole.<ref name="protocol" />

== Debate ==
{{Main|New Zealand flag debate|List of proposed New Zealand flags}}
[[File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg|thumb|alt=A Blue Ensign defaced with a large white seven-pointed star in the lower hoist quarter and a representation of the Southern Cross in the fly half, made up of one small five-pointed star and four, larger, seven-pointed stars.|The New Zealand flag is often mistaken for the [[flag of Australia]] (pictured), since they are similar in design.]]
With the Union Jack in its upper left-hand quarter, the flag still proclaims New Zealand's origins as a British colony. Some New Zealanders believe a new flag would better reflect the country's [[independence of New Zealand|independence]],<ref name="King">{{cite report |last1=King |first1=David |title=Regulatory Impact Statement: Considering Changing the New Zealand Flag |url=https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2014-11/ris-justice-flag-oct14.pdf |publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Justice |pages=2–3 |date=29 October 2014}}</ref> while others argue that the design represents New Zealand's strong past and present ties to the United Kingdom and its history as a part of the [[British Empire]].<ref name="King"/><ref name="Moody">{{cite web|url=http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/John%20Moody.pdf|title=Past Attempts to Change New Zealand's Flag|first=John|last=Moody|publisher=[[International Federation of Vexillological Associations|International Congress of Vexillology]] |date=2001|access-date=29 April 2012|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406093318/http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/John%20Moody.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Relatedly, debate about changing the flag has often arisen in connection with the issue of [[republicanism in New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Anthony |title=Monarchy or republic? The debate for NZ's head of state rages on |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/100228632/monarchy-or-republic-the-debate-for-nzs-head-of-state-rages-on |access-date=8 June 2018 |work=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=14 January 2018 |language=en |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612152927/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/100228632/monarchy-or-republic-the-debate-for-nzs-head-of-state-rages-on |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Nicolas |title=Bill English: Flag vote shows republic a ways off |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11613203 |access-date=8 June 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=28 March 2016 |language=en-NZ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140015/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11613203 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Southern Cross constellation is depicted on other flags, such as the [[flag of Australia]]—although in Australia's case there are five all-white stars and an additional larger star beneath the Union Jack canton, while New Zealand's four stars have red centres.<ref name="Wilson1"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|title=National flags featuring the Southern Cross|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/7477/national-flags-featuring-the-southern-cross|access-date=2021-11-30|website=teara.govt.nz|language=en}}</ref> The similar flags of Australia and New Zealand are often mistaken for each other,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Fletcher |first1=David |title=Flag confusion |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/33987/flag-confusion |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141945/https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/33987/flag-confusion |url-status=live }}</ref> and this confusion was cited by the [[Change the NZ Flag|NZ Flag.com Trust]] as a reason for adopting a different design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzflag.com/essay_sweeney.cfm|title=Eight Reasons To Change The New Zealand Flag|author=Brian Sweeney|date=February 2004|publisher=[[Change the NZ Flag|NZ Flag.com Trust]]|access-date=8 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006184748/http://www.nzflag.com/essay_sweeney.cfm|archive-date=6 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Debate on keeping or changing the New Zealand flag started before May 1973, when a remit for "New Zealand to be declared a republic, change the
national flag, and the national anthem" was voted down by the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] at their national conference.<ref name="Moody"/> In November 1979 Minister of Internal Affairs [[Allan Highet]] suggested that the design of the flag should be changed, and sought an artist to design a new flag with a [[silver fern]] on the fly, but the proposal attracted little support.<ref name="highet_flag">{{cite web|publisher=[[Flags of the World (website)|Flags of the World]]|title=New Zealand – Proposals for a new flag|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/nz!.html|date=29 September 2006|access-date=1 September 2007|archive-date=19 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819042255/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/nz!.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1994 [[Christian Democrat Party (New Zealand)|Christian Democrat]] MP [[Graeme Lee (politician)|Graeme Lee]] introduced a Flags, Anthems, Emblems, and Names Protection Amendment Bill.<ref name="lee_bill">{{cite web|url=http://www.bennion.co.nz/mlr/1994/sep.html|publisher=Maori Law Review|date=September 1994|title=Maori Law Review – New Zealand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920122358/http://www.bennion.co.nz/mlr/1994/sep.html|archive-date=20 September 2008}}</ref> If passed, the bill would have [[Entrenched clause|entrenched]] the Act that governs the flag (see {{slink||Flag law and protocol}}) and added New Zealand's anthems, requiring a majority of 65 percent of votes in Parliament before any future legislation could change the flag. The bill passed its first [[Reading (legislature)|reading]] but was defeated at its second reading, 26 votes to 37.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Parliamentarian: Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth |date=January 1995 |publisher=Secretariat of the Commonwealth Parliament Association. |page=89 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S0IqAQAAIAAJ |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1998 Prime Minister [[Jenny Shipley]] backed Cultural Affairs Minister [[Marie Hasler]]'s call for the flag to be changed. Shipley, along with the New Zealand Tourism Board, put forward the quasi-national [[silver fern flag]] (a silver fern on a black field, along the lines of the [[Flag of Canada|Canadian Maple Leaf flag]]) as a possible alternative flag.<ref>{{cite web |title=Calls for a new flag |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/calls-new-flag |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=8 June 2018 |language=en-NZ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143312/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/calls-new-flag |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 5 August 2010 Labour [[list MP]] [[Charles Chauvel (politician)|Charles Chauvel]] submitted a member's bill for a consultative commission followed by a referendum on the New Zealand flag.<ref name="flagbill">{{cite news|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1008/S00083/bill-advocates-consultative-debate-on-new-flag.htm|title=Bill advocates consultative debate on new flag|date=5 August 2010|work=[[Scoop.co.nz]]|access-date=29 April 2012|archive-date=5 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005082224/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1008/S00083/bill-advocates-consultative-debate-on-new-flag.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2015–16 referendums ===
{{Main|2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums}}
[[File:NZ flag design Silver Fern (Black, White & Blue) by Kyle Lockwood.svg|thumb|{{FIAV|proposal}} The black, white and blue [[Lockwood silver fern flag|silver fern flag]] of the [[2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums|2015 referendum]] designed by [[Kyle Lockwood]]]]
On 11 March 2014, Prime Minister [[John Key]] announced in a speech his intention to hold a referendum, during the [[51st New Zealand Parliament|next parliamentary term]], on adopting a new flag.<ref name="Manhire">{{cite news |last=Manhire|first=Toby|title=New Zealand to hold referendum on new, 'post-colonial' flag|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/11/new-zealand-to-hold-referendum-on-new-post-colonial-flag|access-date=11 March 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=11 March 2014|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311020944/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/11/new-zealand-to-hold-referendum-on-new-post-colonial-flag|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Zealand to hold referendum on national flag|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26524132|access-date=11 March 2014|work=BBC News|date=11 March 2014|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311055600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26524132|url-status=live}}</ref> Key stated, "It's my belief, and I think one increasingly shared by many New Zealanders, that the design of the New Zealand flag symbolises a colonial and [[post-colonial]] era whose time has passed".<ref name="Manhire"/> Following his party's re-election that year, the details of the two referendums were announced.<ref name="Beehive">{{cite web|url= http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-steps-taken-towards-flag-referendum|title= First steps taken towards flag referendum|date= 29 October 2014|website= beehive.govt.nz|publisher= New Zealand Government|access-date= 31 October 2014|archive-date= 31 October 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141031043422/http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first-steps-taken-towards-flag-referendum|url-status= live}}</ref> The first referendum was set for November 2015 allowing voters to decide on a preferred design from five choices. The second referendum would see the preferred design voted on against the current flag in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=The NZ flag – your chance to decide|url=https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/|publisher=Government of New Zealand|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905140431/https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Had the flag changed, the current flag (described as the "1902 flag") of New Zealand would have been "recognised as a flag of historical significance", and its continued use would have been permitted.<ref name=bill>{{cite book|url=http://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2015/0008/latest/DLM6405450.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_Flag+Referendum+Bill_resel_25_a&p=1|title=New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill – amendments|year=2015|access-date=1 April 2015|publisher=[[Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand)|Parliamentary Counsel Office]]|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134218/http://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2015/0008/latest/DLM6405450.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_Flag+Referendum+Bill_resel_25_a&p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Official documents depicting the current flag would have been replaced only through ordinary means, e.g. an existing [[Driving licence in New Zealand|driving licence]] would have remained valid until its renewal date.<ref name=bill />

On 11 December 2015, preliminary results were announced for the first referendum. The [[Lockwood silver fern flag|black, white and blue design]], with a silver fern and red stars, was the winning flag.<ref>{{cite web
| url       = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35059898
| title       = New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winner
| publisher       = BBC
| date       = 11 December 2015
| access-date       = 11 December 2015
| archive-date       = 11 December 2015
| archive-url       = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211033443/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35059898
| url-status       = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Griffiths|first1=James|title=Would you replace the New Zealand flag with this?|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/15/asia/new-new-zealand-flag/|access-date=15 December 2015|publisher=CNN|date=15 December 2015|archive-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218033125/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/15/asia/new-new-zealand-flag|url-status=live}}</ref> This flag design did not win the second referendum; according to preliminary results announced on 24 March 2016, the existing 1902 flag was chosen to remain the New Zealand flag. 56.7% were in favour of retaining the flag, with a voter turnout of 67.3%. 43.3% were in favour of changing the flag to the [[Kyle Lockwood|Lockwood]] design.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11611333&ref=NZH_Tw|title=Flag referendum: New Zealand votes to keep current flag|date=24 March 2016|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|issn=1170-0777|access-date=24 March 2016|archive-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407152024/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11611333&ref=NZH_Tw|url-status=live}}</ref>

==New Zealand Red Ensign==
{{Further|Red Ensign#New Zealand}}
[[File:Civil Ensign of New Zealand.svg|thumb|{{FIAV|normal}} The Red Ensign is mainly used as a [[civil ensign]].]]
A red version of the flag, officially called the Red Ensign and nicknamed the "red duster",<ref name="Thomas">{{cite news |first=Rachel |last=Thomas |title=Flags of New Zealand: the official ones, and the distant relatives |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/87788648/flags-of-new-zealand-the-official-ones-and-the-distant-relatives |access-date=6 July 2018 |work=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=2 January 2017 |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705205614/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/87788648/flags-of-new-zealand-the-official-ones-and-the-distant-relatives |url-status=live }}</ref> was adopted in 1903 to be flown on non-government ships.<ref name="other flags">{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Pollock |first1=Kerryn |title=Flags - Other flags |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-3 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=8 June 2018 |language=en |date=30 April 2006 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141912/https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was flown on New Zealand [[merchant ship]]s during both world wars.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand Red Ensign |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/new-zealand-red-ensign |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233211/https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/new-zealand-red-ensign |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Red Ensign has sometimes been flown incorrectly on land in the belief that it is the national flag.<ref name="Thomas"/> The Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 does allow for the Red Ensign to be used on land on occasions of [[Māori people|Māori]] significance,<ref name="act"/> continuing the long preference of Māori for the use of red in flags.<ref name="other flags"/>

==Other New Zealand flags==
{{Main list|List of New Zealand flags}}
[[File:Tino rangatiratanga flag on Harbour Bridge.jpg|thumb|National flag alongside the {{lang|mi|tino rangatiratanga}} flag on [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]] on [[Waitangi Day]], 2012]]
The flag commonly known as the ''[[tino rangatiratanga]]'' ([[te reo Māori]] for 'absolute sovereignty') flag was designed in 1989. It has been acknowledged as a [[National Māori flag|national flag for the Māori]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Pollock |first1=Kerryn |title=Flags - Māori flags |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-2 |encyclopedia=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=8 June 2018 |language=en |date=30 April 2006 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143446/https://teara.govt.nz/en/flags/page-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are two official flags which, when flown in the appropriate circumstance, take precedence over the national flag of New Zealand:
* The [[Queen's Personal New Zealand Flag]], adopted in 1962, depicts the [[New Zealand coat of arms]] in banner form defaced with a [[roundel]] containing the letter 'E' and a [[Crown (heraldry)|crown]]. The personal flag was flown continuously on any building in which [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] was in residence and by any ship that transported the Queen in New Zealand waters.<ref name="other flags"/> Since the death of the Queen, the flag is no longer displayed.
* The [[flag of the governor-general of New Zealand]] is flown continuously in the presence of the [[Governor-General of New Zealand|governor-general]]. The flag in its present form was adopted in 2008, and is a blue banner with a shield of the New Zealand coat of arms surmounted by a crown.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Governor-General's Flag |url=https://www.gg.govt.nz/office-governor-general/conditions-appointment/governor-generals-flag |publisher=Governor-General of New Zealand |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140702/https://www.gg.govt.nz/office-governor-general/conditions-appointment/governor-generals-flag |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition, the [[New Zealand Police]], [[New Zealand Fire Service]], [[New Zealand Customs Service]], and the services of the [[New Zealand Defence Force]] have their own flags. A few [[local government in New Zealand|local authorities]] have commissioned their own flags, such as [[Flag of the City of Nelson|that of the City of Nelson]].<ref name="other flags" />

==See also==
{{Portal|New Zealand}}
*[[Flag desecration#New Zealand|Flag desecration § New Zealand]]
*[[National symbols of New Zealand]]
*[[Coat of arms of New Zealand]]
*[[Historical flags of the British Empire and the overseas territories]]
*[[Flags depicting the Southern Cross]]
*[[List of countries and territories with the Union Jack displayed on their flag]]
*[[National Māori flag]], also known as the Tino Rangatiratanga flag
*[[Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web|author=Malcolm Mulholland|title=New Zealand Flag Facts|publisher=New Zealand Flag Consideration Panel|date=2016|url=https://www.silverfernflag.org/uploads/1/0/2/2/10222610/nz_flag_facts_malcolm_mulholland.pdf|ref={{sfnref|Mulholland|2016}}|access-date=13 October 2018|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731170141/https://www.silverfernflag.org/uploads/1/0/2/2/10222610/nz_flag_facts_malcolm_mulholland.pdf|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Flags of New Zealand}}
* [http://www.mch.govt.nz/nzflag/ The New Zealand Flag] – Ministry for Culture and Heritage
* [http://www.mch.govt.nz/nzflag/history/mari-time.html Maritime history of the flag]
* [http://www.flaginstitute.org/ The Flag Institute, United Kingdom]
* [https://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/John%20Moody.pdf A 2003 paper on New Zealand flag changes] by John Moody, Secretary of the New Zealand Flag Association

{{New Zealand topics}}
{{NZFlags}}
{{Oceania topic|Flag of|title=[[Flags of Oceania]]}}
{{Union Flag}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Zealand, flag of}}
[[Category:Blue Ensigns|New Zealand]]
[[Category:Flags of New Zealand| ]]
[[Category:National flags|New Zealand]]
[[Category:National symbols of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Southern Cross flags]]
[[Category:1902 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:1869 introductions]]
[[Category:Flags that incorporate the Union Jack]]
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