Flag of the Governor-General of New Zealand South Wales, in 1841. The colony became self-governing in 1853 following the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. In 1869 the Admiralty directed that "Governors ...administering the Governments of British Colonies and Dependencies be authorised to fly the Union Jack, with the Arms or Badge of the Colony emblazoned in the centre thereof". There was at the time no colonial badge for New Zealand. Accordingly, in October 1869 the decision was made of including a Jack with the "Southern Cross, as represented in the Blue Ensign by four five-pointed red stars in the fly, with white borders to
Southern Cross Healthcare Group (New Zealand) includes insurance-funded, public-funded and self-paying patients. Nearly 1000 surgeons and anaesthetists are credentialed to practice within Southern Cross Hospitals facilities. Southern Cross Benefits Limited, established in 1982, operates as a direct-to-consumer travel-insurance business (Southern Cross Travel Insurance) that covered around 445,000 travellers in both New Zealand and Australia in the 2017 financial year. In 2012 Southern Cross Benefits Limited acquired the pet insurance book of Ellenco Pet Insurance and re-launched the business as Southern Cross Pet Insurance in 2014. As at 30 June 2017 Southern Cross Pet Insurance insured more than 21,000 cats and dogs. As a Charitable Trust, the