History of The Flag of New Zealand
Adopted on March 24, 1902, the flag of New Zealand was initially designed for use on government ships in the late 19th century before being declared the official national flag. Its design reflects New Zealand's colonial relationship with Britain and its geographical identity in the Southern Hemisphere. Over the years, there have been discussions and referendums about changing the flag, most notably in 2015-2016, but the original design has been retained. The flag symbolizes New Zealand's heritage, its place in the Pacific, and its status as an independent nation within the Commonwealth.