Who designed the flag of Niue?

Patricia Rex designed the flag of Niue. She was a Niuean politician and the wife of Robert Rex, who became Niue’s first Premier.

Niue adopted the flag on 15 October 1975, shortly after gaining self-government in free association with New Zealand. Its golden-yellow field is unusual among flags based on the British ensign tradition. In the upper-left canton, a modified Union Jack carries five yellow stars.

Four smaller stars form the Southern Cross pattern on the arms of the Saint George’s Cross, while a larger yellow star sits inside a blue disc at the center. The Union Jack reflects Niue’s historical relationship with Britain; the stars connect the design with New Zealand and the Southern Cross. The blue disc represents the ocean surrounding the island, and the yellow field is associated with sunshine and warm relations with New Zealand.

A common mix-up is attributing the design to other Pacific flag designers, such as Susan Karike, who designed Papua New Guinea’s flag, or Emlain Kabua, associated with the Marshall Islands flag. For Niue, the canonical designer is Patricia Rex.