New Zealand’s national flag contains a Union Jack in its upper hoist corner and four red stars.
The flag has a dark blue field, the Union Jack in the canton, and four red five-pointed stars with white borders on the fly side. The stars represent the Southern Cross, a constellation visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
New Zealand adopted its current flag in 1902, although the design’s maritime and colonial roots are older. The Union Jack reflects New Zealand’s historical relationship with Britain, while the Southern Cross identifies its location in the South Pacific.
New Zealand’s flag is often confused with Australia’s. Australia’s flag has five stars in the Southern Cross and a large Commonwealth Star beneath the canton; New Zealand’s has four red stars and no large Commonwealth Star.