The New Zealand Flag
Flying the Flag
The New Zealand Flag may be flown on any day of the year, usually during normal working hours, and in a variety of places. Often, flag flying is observed on a 24 hour basis, especially when buildings are floodlit. Continuous flying, however, shortens the life of a flag, and it may have to be replaced more often.
The New Zealand Flag should never be flown in a dilapidated condition.
Days of National Commemoration
Flag flying is particularly encouraged on those days of the year designated as days of national commemoration. These days are:
February
- 6 - Accession of H.M. The Queen and Waitangi Day
March
- 2nd Monday - Commonwealth Day
April
- 21 - Birthday (actual) of H.M. The Queen
- 25 - Anzac Day*
June
- lst Monday - Official Birthday of H.M. The Queen
- 2 - Coronation Day
- 10 - Birthday of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh
October
- 24 - United Nations Day
- 4th Monday - Labour Day
November
- 14 - Birthday of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales
*Anzac Day (25 April). Anzac Day is New Zealand's national day for commemorating those who have served this country in times of war. The New Zealand Flag should be flown at the top of the flagpole. It is appropriate, however, at places where commemorative services are being held, for the flag to be lowered to half-mast, for the duration of a memorial service, as a sign of respect. [Related link: Anzac.govt.nz - A Guide to Anzac Day for New Zealanders ]
Other Official Occasions
The New Zealand Flag should be flown to mark:
- The opening of Parliament (Wellington only) by The Queen or the Governor-General.
- The swearing-in ceremony of the Governor-General designate and the state farewell for the outgoing Governor-General (Wellington only).
- Visits by the Royal Family and other distinguished people such as a Head of State or Head of Government (only in the city or area being visited).
- Other special occasions are recognised from time to time, for example, a royal birth, and are subject to special command by the Governor-General or direction of the Prime Minister.
Times of Mourning
Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.
Flag at half mast
The flag is half-masted by first raising it to the top of the mast and then immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably half-mast to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. The flag should always be more than its own depth from the top of the flagpole.
On occasions when the New Zealand Flag is flown at half-mast, it is preferable that other flags should not be flown above it. The Flag should be raised again to the peak before being lowered for the day.
Flags on government buildings should be flown at half-mast when directed by the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
For both government and public buildings, flags should be flown at half-mast during times of mourning for the following people and according to the following procedures:
The Sovereign
- From the announcement of death up to and including the day of the funeral (except on Proclamation Day, the day when the new sovereign is announced officially, when flags are to be flown from the top of the mast).
The Governor-General, former Governors-General, the Prime Minister, and former Prime Ministers.
- On the announcement of death and the day of the funeral
Members of The Royal Family
- On the day of the funeral subject to special command from The Queen or the Governor-General.
Commonwealth Governors-General, Commonwealth Prime Ministers in office, Foreign and Commonwealth Heads of State
- On the day of the funeral only.
When local authorities wish to fly their local authority flag at half-mast, as a sign of mourning following the death of a prominent local citizen, it is appropriate to do so on either the day or part of the day of the funeral. The same etiquette applies to the house flag of a company or organisation. In these cases the New Zealand Flag should remain at full mast.
Government Buildings
For those government buildings with flagpoles, the New Zealand Flag should be flown on a daily basis during normal weekday working hours and only in the weekend if the building is in use.
Diplomatic Posts
New Zealands diplomatic posts overseas, including the residences of Heads of Mission, should fly the New Zealand Flag on a daily basis.
Naval Ships and Government Vessels
Commissioned ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy fly the New Zealand Flag as a jack (that is at the bow) when anchored, secured to a buoy, moored, or tied to a wharf. They also fly the New Zealand White Ensign at the stern. Government vessels fly the New Zealand Flag as an ensign (that is at the stern).
Merchant Ships and Pleasure Craft
New Zealand registered merchant ships, pleasure boats, and yachts may fly the New Zealand Red Ensign.
Aircraft
Both the New Zealand Flag and the New Zealand Civil Air Ensign may be flown on aircraft registered in New Zealand. Airlines owning New Zealand aircraft, and the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Transport, may fly the Ensign on their buildings as well as on their aircraft.
(For further information on the above ensigns, see Other Flags page.)