FLAGS

Since the first European contact over 300 years ago, there have been upwards of 1,500 flags flown in New Zealand. The discoverers – representing many countries – missionaries, early whaling and trading companies, colonial and imperial troop formations, Maori political and religious movements, and the various Government and local authorities have all possessed distinctive flags. Among the non-official organisations and bodies possessing flags may be listed shipping companies, some cities, sports clubs, gentlemen's clubs, some commercial enterprises, several religious denominations, and at least one political party. For convenience the field is here divided into nine categories: (a) Pre-1840 and historical flags; (b) New Zealand Government flags; (c) The Governor's standards; (d) Maori “King” Movement flags; (e) Hauhau rebel flags; (f) Te Kooti's flags; (g) Maori “Queen” flags; (h) Shipping companies' flags; (i) Companies', churches', and club flags. These by no means constitute a complete record and several categories have been excluded, such as flags from New Zealand's dependencies, regimental flags, uniformed youth or other movements' flags, sports clubs, and the like. With the exception of Government and vice-regal flags, only examples illustrative of each category are shown.

PRE-1840 AND HISTORICAL FLAGS

Abel Tasman, the first European to visit New Zealand, flew the flag of the Dutch East India Company. This was a horizontal tricolor, orange, white, and pale blue (the old national flag of the Netherlands), with a black monogram consisting of the letters “V.O.C.” (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) on the white strip (A1).

When Captain Cook visited New Zealand, he flew the old Union Jack (dating from 12 April 1606) which combined the cross of St George with that of St. Andrew (A2). The present day Union Jack, with the cross of St. Patrick added, was not instituted until 1801.

The Church Missionary Society flew a distinctive flag over its missions before 1840, and this, or a very close variant, was adopted by the independent tribes in 1834. Baron De Thierry used a large “blue and crimson” silken flag, but this was destroyed during the Hone Heke troubles in 1845, and no description appears to have survived.

Flag of the Independent Tribes of New Zealand (1834): Prior to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, New Zealand had no status in international law. In 1830 the Sir George Murray, a vessel built in New Zealand and sailing under no flag, was seized by Sydney customs authorities on the grounds that her register was not legal. Busby, the British Resident at the Bay of Islands, therefore suggested that the Maori chiefs should select a flag to be recognised by British authorities as the national flag of the New Zealand tribes. The first design, submitted by naval authorities in Sydney, was rejected on the grounds that it had no red in it – as red was regarded as a sign of rank by the Maoris. In 1834 a choice was made at a meeting of Maori chiefs at Waitangi presided over by the British Resident. The flag was hoisted and HMS Alligator, which was standing off shore, honoured it with a 21-gun salute. The design was later approved by King William IV, and the Vice-Admiral, East Indies Station, was instructed to recognise it as the flag of a sovereign State.

The flag, measuring 16 ft × 10 ft, consisted of a red St. George's cross on a white ground. In the upper canton next the staff, a red St. George's cross with black fimbriation was surrounded by a blue ground pierced with four eight-point stars (B). Known as the “Flag of the Independent Tribes of New Zealand”, it remained the national ensign until 1840, when the Union Jack superseded it. The flag was gazetted in New South Wales on 19 August 1835 where the description omitted the black fimbriation, substituting white instead, and made the stars six point instead of eight point. This mistake, of course, could not invalidate the chiefs' selection, but the error has been perpetuated in a number of ways. The New Zealand Company flew a flag over its Petone settlement, which was correct according to the New South Wales' Gazette notice. In 1858 the Shaw Savill and Albion Shipping Co. adopted a house flag similar to the design gazetted in New South Wales, but omitted the white fimbriation. While this is a legitimate example of “differencing”, the Shaw Savill flag (A23) is a variation, not of the flag of the independent tribes, but of the erroneous New South Wales version. As late as 1844 the flag of the independent tribes was flown by Tuhawaiki at Ruapuke Island to show that he did not subscribe to the Treaty of Waitangi.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, a series of maritime flags were proposed for the constituent states of an Imperial Confederation. Their basis was the Union Jack suitably quartered to indicate ships of the several States. New Zealand's distinguishing badge was to be Triangulum Australis, consisting of three five-point red stars on a white field in the lower left-hand quarter of the Union Jack (A4).

NEW ZEALAND ENSIGN AND GOVERNMENT FLAGS

The New Zealand Ensign

From 1840 until after the passing of the Imperial “Colonial Naval Defence Act, 1865”, New Zealand possessed no flag of its own, but used either the Union Jack for all occasions ashore or, if the occasion was a maritime one, the appropriate British naval or maritime ensign. In 1865, because there was considerable uncertainty about the question, the Admiralty laid down the following rules:

At that time the New Zealand Government possessed ships in neither category, but on 10 January 1867, when four small steamers were in commission, Sir George Grey issued a proclamation appointing “the letter NZ in red, … surrounded by a margin of white” to be used as the colony's badge on the blue ensign (A5). This arrangement was temporary, and in 1869 Sir George Bowen deemed it “expedient to adopt a permanent device”. Consequently, on 23 October 1869 it was proclaimed that:

In 1900 the Government decided to adopt this flag for use on shore. The New Zealand Ensign Act of 1900 was passed by Parliament, but was disallowed on a technicality. A new Act was therefore passed and became law on 12 June 1902. In it the New Zealand Ensign was described as “the blue ensign of the Royal Naval Reserve, having on the fly thereof the Southern Cross as represented by four five-pointed red stars with white borders”. On 27 June 1902 the Minister of Marine gazetted a description of the new flag (A8), together with instructions about the sizes and positions of the stars. In this connection it may be mentioned that, while the 1900 and 1901 Acts were apparently intended merely to extend the use of the New Zealand flag (gazetted in 1869 exclusively for maritime use) for general occasions ashore, the Gazette notice of 1902, in effect, proclaimed a redesigned flag (C). Alteration was made in the size and position of the stars which, instead of being made uniform in size and crowded into the space on the Blue Ensign permitted by the Admiralty instructions, were now expanded and extended beyond the original area. The Shipping and Seamen's Act of 1908 repealed the New Zealand Ensign Act, but the sections concerning the national flag were re-enacted and this law governs the use of the flag today.

The New Zealand Ensign Act recognised the flag as “the flag of the colony for general use on shore within the colony and on all vessels belonging to the Government of New Zealand”. It is therefore the national flag and should be used at all times in preference to all other flags, including the Union Jack, which is now generally accepted to be the national flag of the United Kingdom. While the use of the flag is apparently unrestricted, it is provided that anyone who defaces it will be subject to certain legal penalties.

The White Ensign

Under the 1869 proclamation, New Zealand naval vessels were entitled to wear the British Blue Ensign with the badge of the colony in the fly. Since the formation of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and in order to show its close connection with the Royal Navy, the British White Ensign (A7) is worn. In peacetime this is usually worn on the New Zealand Station from 8 a.m. local time until sunset, but in wartime it is worn continuously. It is also worn continuously on any ship flying the Royal Standard and on any vessel escorting a ship flying the Royal Standard or the standard of a foreign Head of State.

The Red Ensign

By the Merchant Shipping (Colours) Act of 1889, colonial merchant ships were permitted to fly the Red Ensign as used by British merchant ships, with the badge of the colony in the fly (A3). On 7 February 1899, by Admiralty Warrant, this was extended to New Zealand registered merchant ships. This remained in force until 1903, when the Shipping and Seamen's Act provided that the “Red Ensign usually worn by merchant ships, with the addition in the fly thereof of the Southern Cross as represented by four five-pointed white stars …. is hereby declared to be the proper colours for all merchant ships registered in New Zealand.” (A9)

The Blue Ensign

Certain New Zealand yacht clubs hold Admiralty Warrants permitting them to fly the British Blue Ensign. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland, and the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Squadron, Wellington, are the only two New Zealand clubs that hold such warrants, and every yacht flying this ensign must carry the warrant on board. The Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, holds a warrant entitling it to fly the Blue Ensign defaced by the club's badge. These are the only instances where the Blue Ensign may be flown in New Zealand.

The Naval Board Flag

This is worn continuously at a mast above Navy Office, Wellington, and is only struck by order of the Naval Board. It is also flown on ships when Board members travel. It is flown at half mast at the death of the Sovereign, of the Governor-General of New Zealand, or of a member of the Naval Board when it is rehoisted at sunset. The Naval Board flag is also lowered during the funeral of any of the above. The devices are in gold.

The Naval Secretary's Flag

The personal flag of the Naval Secretary is the same as that of the Naval Board, but with the addition of a bordure on which are countercharged the colours of the field.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Ensign

This is hoisted daily at Royal New Zealand Air Force establishments and is also flown on New Zealand Air Force planes carrying heads of foreign States, Governors-General of Commonwealth countries the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers, the Chiefs of Staff, ambassadors, and other distinguished persons (A11).

The New Zealand Civil Air Ensign

This was instituted on 16 November 1938 by an exercise of the Royal prerogative. Lord Galway submitted the original design to King George VI and, upon his Majesty's pleasure being made known, the flag became “recognised as the proper national colours to be flown by British aircraft registered in New Zealand” (A12).

The New Zealand Customs Department Flag

This is flown over the HM Customs Department's Building in Wellington and consists of the letters “H.M.C.” in bold white capitals beneath the Union Jack on the New Zealand Ensign (A13).

The New Zealand Police Department Flag

This was first instituted in 1961 and is flown at every headquarters station in New Zealand, or where a commissioned officer is in charge (A14).

Flags of Government Agencies

Only two Government-owned agencies use distinctive flags. These are: (A15) the National Airways Corporation (the letters are pink); and (A16) the National Provident Fund.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S STANDARDS

The Governor's flag, originally instituted by the Admiralty, was intended for maritime use exclusively. Prior to 1874 colonial Governors possessed no official flag and there were no clear-cut rules in the matter. In 1874, however, the Admiralty directed that colonial Governors should fly, when travelling at sea, “the Union Jack, with the arms or badge of the colony emblazoned in the centre thereof on a white shield surrounded by a green garland”. Sir James Fergusson announced in the Gazette that the badge to be worn in the Union Jack used by the Governor of New Zealand when he embarked in any vessel “shall be the Southern Cross as represented by four five-pointed red stars emblazoned on the white shield aforesaid, and the monogram ‘NZ’ in red letters in the centre of the Southern Cross”. Succeeding Governors found it convenient to use this flag on shore and it became accepted as the official vice-regal flag (A17). In 1907, following New Zealand's promotion from “colonial” to “Dominion” status, New Zealand ministers asked that the garland of laurels should be replaced by one of fern leaves. With this alteration, the flag continued to be used by successive Governors until about 1935.

In January 1931 a new vice-regal flag was designed, partly in order to meet South African objections to the use of the Union Jack, and partly to symbolise the Governor-General's new status as the King's personal representative. This was a uniform design for all Dominions and consisted of a “Royal blue ground on which is the Royal Crest in gold, with the name of the Dominion in gold beneath”. As neither Lord Bledisloe nor his ministers were sympathetic to the change, the flag was not flown until after Lord Galway's arrival.

The Governor-General's flag (A18) occupies the same position in New Zealand that the Royal Standard does in England. It is the personal flag of the Governor-General for the time being; it is flown on all occasions when he is present and over Government House when he is in residence. Whenever the Governor-General's office falls vacant, or is vacated, the Administrator of the Government is entitled to fly the Governor-General's flag. The deputy of the Governor-General uses the New Zealand Ensign.

THE NEW ZEALAND ROYAL STANDARD

The Royal Standard – the personal flag of the Sovereign – may not be flown in New Zealand unless the Queen herself is present. The New Zealand armed services, however, are permitted to use it at parades held on the day of and in honour of the Queen's birthday. The conditions under which it may be flown are laid down in the Manual of Ceremonial.

On 11 October 1962 the Queen announced the adoption of a special personal flag for use on her tour of New Zealand early in 1963 (D). The flag is based upon the New Zealand Coat of Arms of 1911; however, there are certain minor differences between the published design and the flag used. The most important of these is in the depiction of the stars of the Southern Cross. The design shows these as white on a blue field while the flag shows them as being red and white as in the New Zealand Ensign. The wreath and monogram are gold. All lines on the flag and in the devices are picked out in brown and in some places this appears heavy enough to be called fimbriation. The new flag is symbolic of the fact that the Queen is Queen of New Zealand, and it flies whenever she is present in this country. The Queen has personal flags for two other Commonwealth countries – Canada and Sierra Leone.

MAORI FLAGS

Maori “King” Flags

Recognising that the Union Jack was the symbol of British power, and rejecting the Treaty of Waitangi from which that power derived, the Maori tribes who banded together to elect a King sought a similar mana for their monarch. The three flags (F7) hoisted on 23 April 1857 when Te Wherowhero accepted kingship emphasised this by carrying the words “Kingi” (King) and “Niu Tireni” (New Zealand). The flag of the King movement is also the personal flag of the “King” and is flown at his residence at Turangawaewae (Ngaruawahia), and precedes him when he visits the other maraes which recognise his authority. When the “King” dies his flag is interred with him and a new one is made for his successor. The flag is strictly tapu and is kept by a hereditary custodian.

A special “King” flag (E4) was hoisted at Ngaruawahia in 1861, probably in conjunction with Ta-whiao's accession. The blue and yellow device represents the three islands of New Zealand. Another version of this flag, recorded about the same time, shows the device in the form of three four-pointed stars. From time to time recruiting parties toured North Island villages on behalf of the movement. In January 1864 two special recruiting flags (E5 and 6) were carried by a party which visited Waiapu in Poverty Bay.

Hauhau Flags

The Hauhaus believed that the British flag possessed mana of itself, and that it was thus a particular manifestation of divine power. Te Ua also believed that the Europeans worshipped a terrible deity to whom the military did homage around the flagpole every morning and evening. It is little wonder, therefore, that the Hauhaus gave much attention to their flags and “Niu Pole” ceremonies. Hauhaus usually showed three flags in their poles – a pennant, “Riki”, which was a war flag; the flag of the prophet, apostle, or priest who presided over the ceremony; and “Ruru” – the flag of peace. The relative positions of Riki and Ruru showed whether or not the meeting was a peaceful one. The flags seen at Tataroa (F6) in 1865 were warlike and the Pakeha observer felt himself fortunate to escape with his life.

Te Ua's personal flag (10 ft × 3 ft 6 in.) bore the legend “Kenana” (Canaan) showing that he identified the Maoris with the Jews. The standard of the Hauhau “movement”, and the largest flag ever flown in New Zealand (22 ft 10 in. × 12 ft 4 in.), bore a life-size figure of Te Matairenga – the Maori God of War – challenging the enemy to fight (E8). Patara, one of the five “apostles” of Hauhauism, possessed a handsome flag, “Rura” – a pacifier, which represented the Angel Michael and also the gospel (E9). Kereopa, one of the “apostles” and Volkner's murderer, flew a grey bordured pennant. Titokowaru, the Hauhau guerilla leader in Taranaki, flew a red war pennant with white devices in his campaign against Whitmore (F3). Peehi Turoa, the upper Wanganui chief who signed the Treaty of Waitangi but who remained hostile to the Europeans, lost his flag “Paerangi” after the Battle of Moutoa (1864). In design this flag is reminiscent of the “King” flags (E10). When colonial troops occupied Omarunui Pa (Hawke's Bay) on 12 October 1866, they captured a pennant (6 ft × 2 ft 6 in.) (E24). Note the direction of the cross. One of the most famous Maori rebel flags was that captured at Gate Pa in April 1864 (E11). The star, believed to represent the Star of Bethlehem, is in the ascendant. A lesser known but more colourful flag was hoisted by the rebels at Papatupu, on the Waitotara River, in 1868 (E12). The Maoris were fond of long whiplike pennants. The one shown (F2) was flown by Hauhaus in the Bay of Plenty and measures 16 ft × 1 ft 6 in. Note the red fimbriation on two sides of the blue, and the white fimbriation around the outer edges of the red tip.

Te Kooti Flags

Te Kooti, like Te Ua, believed in the “power” of flags and used many during his campaigns, altering their designs and symbolism as his fortunes under them waxed or waned. His most fabulous war flag, “Te Wepu” (the whip) – measuring 52 ft × 4 ft – was originally made by the nuns at the Greenmeadows Mission School for the chiefs of the friendly Ngati Kahungunu. Te Kooti captured it in 1868 and retained it until 7 February 1870, when Gilbert Mair captured it near Rotorua (F8). Te Kooti lost another “powerful” flag at Te Po(u)rere. This measures 6 ft × 2 ft 8 in. The symbols, which were supposed to be exceptionally potent, have never been explained (E13). Tuwharetoa Maoris from Tokaanu used a handsome flag (E14) in their campaigns under Te Kooti. The colonial forces saw another of Te Kooti's flags in the Opepe engagement in 1869 (E15). It was never captured and nothing is known of its later history. In February 1870 Colonel McDonnell captured the flag flown by Te Kooti's forces at Tapapa (north of Putaruru) on 25 January 1870 (E16). The stars are similar to those used in “King” flags, and the green and black device in the top left-hand corner was at first mistaken for the Union Jack.

Maori “Queen” and Tribal Flags

As the Maoris are so fond of flags, it is not surprising that the Government and other organisations adopted the practice of presenting standards to chiefs and tribes as a reward for their loyal services during the Maori Wars, the flags themselves being unique in that only one of each was made. Some of these, such as “Te Rakau i Mataahu”, which Queen Victoria presented to Major Ropata in the 1860s, incorporated the British Red Ensign with special devices. But those presented by the Government usually consisted of the New Zealand Red Ensign (12 ft × 6 ft, with trunk and halyards) with the name of the hapu, or of a notable ancestor, worked or printed on the fly. Maoris preferred this flag because red was a colour denoting rank and mana. Moreover, the hapu that could boast a genuine “Queen” flag was bound to acquire great prestige in the eyes of less fortunate hapus. The Maoris of the Ngati Makino tribe of Otamarakau Pa (near Rotorua) requested a flag in August 1902, and this (E17) was duly presented by the Government. Some times the hapu specified the design it wanted, as did the Whakarewarewa hapu on the accession of Edward VII (E18). In commemoration of the Wanganui tribes' victory over the Hauhaus at Moutoa Island (14 May 1864), the ladies of the town presented a large silken flag, of their own design, to the local chiefs (E19). In this the centrepiece of the crown is gold, while the small device below represents (in their natural colours) Maori and European hands clasped in friendship.

In 1894, in order to strengthen their hold among the East Coast tribes, the Church of England presented flags to many hapus. One of these, the flag of the subtribe of Rongomai-Wahine at Opoutama, is still used on ceremonial occasions.

SHIPPING COMPANY FLAGS

Many shipping companies have, at various times, been interested in the New Zealand service, and a full catalogue of their house flags would possibly run to several hundreds. A flag (A19) with a long continuous association with New Zealand is that which has been flown successively by the Tyser Line (1886), the Commonwealth and Dominion Line (1914), and the Port Line (1916). Richardson and Co., Napier (A20), was the first shipping company formed in New Zealand (1859), and their flag has become well known on the eastern coasts. The flag of the Northern Steamship Co. (A21) has been seen in northern waters since the company's formation in 1881. The New Zealand Shipping Co. (1873) always shows a pennant above its house flag. This dates from the days of sail when the pennant was flown to indicate that the ship was a steamer. The Union Steamship Co's flag (A22) has been in use since 1875. Mention has already been made of the Shaw Savill and Albion Co's. flag (A23). This has been displayed by Shaw Savill ships since 1858, but before this was used by ships belonging to Messrs Willis and Gann (established 1842). As this was only two years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi it lends a certain credibility to the belief that the company adopted the New South Wales Gazette version of the flag of the independent tribes – suitably altered by the omission of the fimbriation.

The flag of the South Pacific Trading Co., formed in the 1870s under the aegis of Sir Julius Vogel, placed the initial letters of the company's name upon the red panels of Queen Makea's (of Rarotonga) personal standard. Among the many other maritime flags which have been flown in New Zealand waters are those of the Kamo Colliery Co. (North Auckland) (E2) and of the “Circular Saw” Line which operated from Auckland (E1). A version of the latter, with the saw teeth pointing in the reverse direction, is now used by Henderson and Macfarlane Ltd., of Auckland. Another interesting flag is that which used to be flown on shore stations on the Kaipara mail run to indicate to passing steamers that there was mail to be collected (E3).

COMPANY, CHURCH, AND OTHER FLAGS

Flags used by business enterprises, clubs, religious, and uniformed organisations form a miscellaneous category of New Zealand flags which it would be too large to catalogue in full. The following, therefore, must be considered as a brief and only partially representative selection. It must be emphasised, also, that those in this category are private flags in that they are displayed only by the groups concerned, and that while some may be known nationally and even internationally, their significance is reserved to the groups whose purposes they serve.

Among business flags, that of the Australia and New Zealand Bank is a noteworthy representative, because it is an instance of a flag which has been designed by the Royal College of Heralds from the company's official coat of arms (E20). Another distinctive private flag is that belonging to the Wellesley Club in Wellington (E21). This is based upon the crest of the Dukes of Wellington, whose family name the club perpetuates. Several religious denominations use special flags. The Anglican and Presbyterian Churches use the flags of St. George and St. Andrew respectively, and the Ratana and Ringatu Maori Churches also have their special flags. The church flag most often seen in New Zealand, however, is that belonging to the Salvation Army. This is invariably in red, yellow, and blue, colours which symbolise, respectively, the blood of Christ, the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the purity of the soul. The flag's design has changed slightly over the years, particularly as regards the number of points on the star. This originally had five points (E22), then six, and lately eight. Today this is the standard flag of the Salvation Army units (E23), and with the addition of each individual unit's name is so used throughout the world.

by Bernard John Foster, M.A., Research Officer, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

• Flag Collections: Dominion Museum, Wellington

• Flag Collections (MSS): Ball Collection (MSS), Turnbull Library
• Gordon Collection (MSS), Dominion Museum. Flags of All Nations, G.B. Admiralty (1889) (1907) (1930) (1948)
• Flags of the World, Carr, H. G. (1961)
• C.O. 209/1 (MSS), Colonial Office (1934)
• G. 28/3(Enclosures to Government Despatches) (MSS) (1867)
• M.A. 24/13 (Flags Requested File of Maori Affairs Department) (MSS) (1902). (The above MSS references are held in National Archives.) Laurenson Papers (MSS), Turnbull Library
• New Zealand Gazette: 1869, p. 556
• 1874, p. 122; 1899, p. 2167; 1939, p. 1548.Appendices to the Journal of the House of Representatives: 1908, A. 1, p. 17
• 1909, A. 2, p. 7; Regulations for the R.N.Z.A.F. and Air Board Orders (1952)
• R.N.Z.N. Regulations and Instructions (1958)
• The New Zealand Wars, Cowan, J. (1955).