Flag of New Zealand - Description of the New Zealand Flag
As the above picture of the New Zealand Flag indicates the overall background is blue
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the New Zealand flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the New Zealand flag is described as Canton reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the New Zealand flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist and pictures the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant (canton) with four red five-pointed stars edged in white, all of the same size, centered in the outer half of the flag
The stars emblem on the New Zealand flag pictures a representation of the Southern Cross constellation
The Meaning & History of the New Zealand Flag - The Union Jack symbolises New Zealand's Commonwealth heritage
It is based on the British blue ensign as the flag was originally mainly intended for naval use
The flag of New Zealand was introduced in 1869 and adopted as the national flag in 1902
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
New Zealand Flag Etiquette
New Zealand Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including New Zealand as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of New Zealand
State Flag of New Zealand
Military Flag of New Zealand (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of New Zealand
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the New Zealand Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of New Zealand should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The New Zealand flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of New Zealand should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the New Zealand flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of New Zealand, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in New Zealand Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the New Zealand flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the New Zealand flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the New Zealand flag to the top, then lowering the New Zealand Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the New Zealand flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The New Zealand flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the New Zealand flag
The New Zealand flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The New Zealand flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The New Zealand flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to New Zealand Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding New Zealand Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
New Zealand
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Land Size of New Zealand : 268,680 sq km
Climate / Weather of New Zealand : temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Population of New Zealand : 3,993,817 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Capital City of New Zealand : Wellington
GDP of New Zealand : $85.26 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Main Colors of New Zealand Flag : red, white and blue
Concise History of New Zealand & its Flag
Crux, the cross is commonly known as the Southern Cross. The stars comprising the Southern Cross, or Crux, were visible from the Mediterranean area in antiquity and enabled focal points for ancient navigators.
The five brightest stars of Crux also appear on the flags of Brazil, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.
New Zealand was first inhabited between 500 & 1300AD
Polynesian settlers arrived and established the Maori culture
New Zealand not discovered by Europeans until the 17th century by Abel Janszoon Tasman in 1642
It was colonised in the 1700 and 1800's by Europeans
It was named "Nieuw Zeeland" by the Dutch after their province of Zeeland
In 1769 Capt. James Cook began extensive surveys of the islands and claims parts of the country in the name of King George III
1790 - Deep sea whaling, sealing, and timber trades commence
1820 - Ngapuhi chief Hongi Hika visits England and meets with King George IV
1833 - James Busby arrives at the Bay of Islands as Official British Resident
1834 - 25 northern Māori chiefs adopt the United Tribes flag, on Busby's initiative
October 28, 1835 New Zealand Declaration of Independence
The Declaration was sent to His Majesty the King of England to thank him for his acknowledgement of their flag and their request that he would continue to be the parent of their infant State and to protect it from all attempts upon its independence
British sovereignty was established over New Zealand on February 6, 1840 by the Treaty of Waitangi between the British government and the Maori
1840 - William Hobson became the first Governor
1843 - 1872 There are instances of violent confrontations between Europeans and the Māori
September 26, 1907 - New Zealand became an independent dominion
In 1901 the colonies federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia and became a self-governing dominion of the British Empire
1914 - 1918 WW1
1939 - 1945 WW11
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Flag and Nation of New Zealand
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of New Zealand has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
