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
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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!
