Flag of New Zealand

What the flag looks like

A dark blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist and four red five-pointed stars with white borders in the fly, forming the Southern Cross.

What it means

The Union Jack reflects New Zealand's historical ties to Britain and the Southern Cross its location in the South Pacific.

How to remember it

New Zealand: four red stars outlined in white and nothing under the Union Jack; Australia has white stars, five in its Southern Cross plus a big one below the Jack.

Fun facts

• In a 2016 referendum about 57% of voters chose to keep the current flag over a silver fern design.
• The flag's Southern Cross has four stars, leaving out the small fifth star that appears on Australia's.
• In 1893 New Zealand became the first self-governing country to give women the vote in national elections.

New Zealand at a glance

Capital

Wellington

Region

Australia and New Zealand

Population

5.3 million

Area

270,467 km²

Languages

English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language

Currency

New Zealand dollar ($)

Flag adopted

1902

Flags often confused with New Zealand

• Australia: Australia and New Zealand are both dark blue with the Union Jack and the Southern Cross. New Zealand has four red stars with white edges; Australia has six white stars, including a large one under the Union Jack.
• Tuvalu: New Zealand and Tuvalu both have the Union Jack in the corner and stars on blue. New Zealand has four red stars on dark blue; Tuvalu has nine yellow stars on light blue.
• Fiji: Fiji and New Zealand both have the Union Jack in the corner. Fiji's field is light blue with a shield; New Zealand's is dark blue with four red stars.
• United Kingdom: New Zealand uses the United Kingdom's Union Jack in its corner. The UK flag is the Union Jack alone; New Zealand's has a dark blue field with four red stars on the right.