New Zealand Flag

New Zealand's flag is a Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the upper hoist and four red stars with white borders on the fly, forming the Southern Cross constellation. New Zealand's Southern Cross uses only four of the five most prominent stars (unlike Australia's five-star version).

The stars are proportionally larger and the shade of blue slightly darker than Australia's flag, though the two are often confused. The proportions are 1:2.

New Zealand adopted its Blue Ensign as the national flag in 1902. A 2015–2016 national referendum offered New Zealanders the chance to replace it with a new design (the Koru/Silver Fern design was the main alternative), but 57% voted to retain the existing flag.

The vote reignited debate about New Zealand's national identity and relationship with Britain and Australia. Advocates for change argued the flag too closely resembles Australia's; supporters of the current design cited historical continuity.