Why is New Zealands flag almost like ours? And why are the stars red?
The design of New Zealand’s national flag emerged gradually, over a number of years, before being officially approved in 1902. The Flag’s origins date from 1865, when the British Government issued instructions that all vessels from the colonies should fly the Blue Ensign, with the seal or badge of the colony on it. New Zealand did not have a recognised badge at the time, so its vessels just flew the Blue Ensign without any markings until reprimanded by the British Government. Mr G Eliott Eliott, the Secretary of the General Post Office, recommended that the four stars of the Southern Cross be used as New Zealand’s badge but this was rejected. Instead the words “New Zealand” were added to the Blue Ensign, and later shortened to “NZ” in red letters with white borders. In 1869, Governor Sir George Bowen directed that the Southern Cross replace “NZ” on the Blue Ensign. The Southern Cross was represented by four five-pointed red stars, with white borders to correspond with the colours of th
