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Story: Flags

United Tribes' flag: James Laurenson collection

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United Tribes' flag: James Laurenson collection

This copy of the United Tribes' flag was made from a plate in a book of flags published in 1845 and held by the British Admiralty library in London. This version has a white rather than black border around the smaller St George's cross, but the stars are eight-pointed, as on the original flag.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, James Laurenson Collection

Reference: MS-Papers-0009-09-01

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Flags – New Zealand flag, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/33968/united-tribes-flag-james-laurenson-collection (accessed 3 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 14 March 2012.