The
flag of New Zealand is a
defaced Blue Ensign with the
Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars represent the constellation of
Crux, the Southern Cross.
For several decades there has been debate about changing the flag. A two-stage binding referendum on a flag change is planned to take place in 2015 and 2016, with alternative flag options yet to be decided New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the
United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted in 1834, six years before New Zealand became a
British colony following the signing of the
Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Chosen by an assembly of
Māorichiefs at Waitangi in 1834, the flag was of a
St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. After the formation of the colony in 1840, British ensigns began to be used. 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.
