Flag of New Zealand early days of European settlement. Additionally, in Māori mythology the Southern Cross is identified as "Māhutonga", an aperture in "Te Ikaroa" (the Milky Way) through which storm winds escaped. The flag should be rectangular in shape and its length should be two times its width, translating into an aspect ratio of 1:2. It has a royal blue background with a Union Jack in the canton, and four five-pointed red stars with white borders on the fly (outer or right-hand side). The exact colours are specified as Pantone 186C (red), Pantone 280C (blue), and white. According to the Ministry for Culture
Royal New Zealand Navy ensign, which retains the Union Flag in a top quarter but replaces the St George's Cross with the Southern Cross constellation that is displayed on the national flag. The hydrographic survey ship of the RNZN until 2012 was , succeeding the long-serving . "Resolution" was used to survey and chart the sea around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. A small motor boat, SMB "Adventure", was operated from "Resolution". "Resolution" carried some of the most advanced survey technology available. HMNZS Resolution was decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base on 27 April 2012. The RNZN is currently in a transitional period where