Flag of New Zealand Flag of New Zealand The flag of New Zealand, also known as the New Zealand Ensign, is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars' pattern represents the asterism within the constellation of Crux Australis, the Southern Cross. New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted in 1834, six years before New Zealand became a British colony following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs at
Order of the Southern Cross Order of the Southern Cross The National Order of the Southern Cross () is a Brazilian order of chivalry founded by Emperor Pedro I on 1 December 1822. This order was intended to commemorate the independence of Brazil and the coronation of Pedro I. The name derives from the geographical position of the country, under the constellation of the Southern Cross and also in memory of the name – "Terra de Santa Cruz" (Land of the Holy Cross) – given to Brazil at the time of European discovery. Originally known as the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross ("Ordem Imperial