Flag of New Zealand: stars, meaning and facts for kids

What does the flag of New Zealand look like?

The flag of New Zealand is blue. In the top corner nearest the flagpole is the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. On the other side are four red stars edged in white, which make the shape of the Southern Cross.

What do the stars mean?

The Southern Cross is a group of stars best seen from the southern half of the world, where New Zealand is.

The flag became New Zealand's flag by law in 1902.

Flags that look like the flag of New Zealand

Some flags use the same colours or the same shape. Here is how to tell them apart:

New Zealand in a nutshell

• Capital city: Wellington
• Continent: Oceania
• Countries next door: None by land. New Zealand is made up of islands. The two biggest are the North Island and the South Island.
• A fact to impress your friends: New Zealand has no native land snakes at all.

Quick quiz: the flag of New Zealand

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