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Story: Flags

Blue Ensign with white disc, 1917

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Blue Ensign with white disc, 1917

In 1899 the British Admiralty approved the addition of a white disc, containing the existing four red stars, to the New Zealand Blue Ensign. This flag was supposed to be used at sea only but it soon came to be used on land. An example is shown in the background (right-hand side) of this Remuera District School class photo, taken in 1917.

Using this item

Reference: 1099-3

by Paul F. Baker

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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/photograph/33973/blue-ensign-with-white-disc-1917 (accessed 29 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 14 March 2012.