Flag Monday/NZ Flag

Well it's Monday and that means flag Monday so today I am going to tell you a little about New Zealand's flag why, well because I was just in New Zealand and thought why not.

Their flag is a defaced blue ensign with the Union Jack (flag) in the corner with four red stars with white borders to the right. The pattern of the stars is to represent the asterism within the constellation of the crux, the Southern Cross, whatever all that means.

Now New Zealand’s first flag was the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand and this was adopted way back in 1834, six years before New Zealand became a British colony. It was chosen by an assembly of Maori chiefs at a place called Waitangi in 1834, the flag had the St George Cross with another cross in the corner containing four stars on a blue field.

However, after New Zealand became a British colony in 1840 the British ensigns came into use, the current flag was designed and adopted for use on Colonial ships in 1869 following an Imperial statute and became New Zealand's national flag in 1902.

There has, however, been a debate about changing the flag for several decades with a two-stage binding referendum on changing the flag planned to take place in 2016. There are four designs up for the vote they are these four.

I know many people often confuse the Australian flag and the New Zealand flag which may have something to do with New Zealanders wanting to change their flag, for those who have forgotten what the good ole Aussie flag looks like this is it.