The flag of New Zealand, also known as the New Zealand Ensign, is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Jack in the canton and four red stars with white borders on the right. The pattern of the stars represents the asterism in the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. The height-to-width ratio in the flag is 1:2, and the flag was adopted on March 24, 1902.
The shield in its coat of arms contains symbols representing the flag of the country, maritime trade, agriculture, animal husbandry, mining and industry. Above the shield is a crown representing the country's constitutional monarchy status. The shield is supported by a European woman and a Maori chief, symbolizing the country's bicultural nation history.
| Capital: | Wellington (pop. 419,000) |
| Other major cities: | Auckland (1,629,000) Christchurch (405,000) |
| Official languages: | English, Māori |
| Region: | Oceania |
| Ethnic groups: | 74.0% European 14.9% Māori 11.8% Asian 7.4% Pacific peoples 2.9% Other |
| Religion: | 44.3% Christian 2.1% Hindu 1.4% Buddhist 1.3% Maori Christian 1.1% Islam 1.4% other religion 38.5% no religion 9.9% unidentified |
| Demonym: | New Zealander |
| Area: | 268,021 km² (103,483 sq mi) |
| Population: | 4,971,000 |
| Currency: | New Zealand dollar |
Keywords: Flag and coat of arms of New Zealand (Maori: Pīwari o Aotearoa - Tohu o Aotearoa), GIF
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