Current Flag Of New Zealand

The red ensign may be flown on land in places or on occasions of māori significance.

Current flag of new zealand. The new zealand flag is the symbol of the realm its government and the people of new zealand. It includes flags that either have been in use or are currently used by institutions local authorities or the government of new zealand. Nearly 57 of voters opted for the current flag. The national flag of new zealand and tino rangatiratanga flag flying on auckland harbour bridge on waitangi day 2012 this is a list of flags of new zealand.

In march 2016 new zealanders voted in a second postal referendum to choose between the current new zealand flag and the silver fern flag. In march 2016 voters had to choose between this and the current flag. The royal new zealand returned and services association rnzrsa the new zealand organisation for war veterans did not openly back the current flag at its annual conference passing a remit that it is the view of rnzrsa that any change to the new zealand flag should be solely the prerogative of the people of new zealand as determined by a substantial majority of electors in a referendum. Albert hastings markham the royal navy s first lieutenant designed the new zealand flag in 1869 and its use began the same year.

Chosen by an assembly of māori chiefs at waitangi in 1834 the flag was of a st george s cross with another cross in the canton containing four. The new zealand red ensign has sometimes been flown incorrectly both here and overseas in the belief that it is our national flag. Its royal blue background is derived from the ensign of the blue squadron of the royal navy. The flag of new zealand features the union jack and the southern cross.

Nearly 57 of those voting preferred the current flag. The pacific ocean island country of new zealand adopted its national flag and state ensign on march 24 1902. Overall voter turnout was 67 78. In 2015 prime minister john key announced a two stage referendum process to determine whether new zealanders wanted a new new zealand flag.

Two new zealand flag referendums were held by the new zealand government in november december 2015 and march 2016 and resulted in the retention of the current flag of new zealand. The stars of the southern cross emphasise this country s location in the south pacific ocean. New zealand s first 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 separate colony following the signing of the treaty of waitangi in 1840. The options were the current new zealand flag and the silver fern black white and blue design which had been selected from among five designs in a referendum in 2015.

Shortly after the referendum announcement party leaders reviewed draft legislation and selected candidates for a flag consideration panel. It is also the association s view that this matter should be taken out of the political arena.