Australia vs New Zealand Flag
Australia and New Zealand's flags are among the most frequently confused in the world. Both feature a blue background with the Union Jack in the canton (top-left corner) and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation. The similarity has fueled ongoing debates in both countries about whether to adopt distinct national flags.
Key Differences
- Australia has 6 stars (5 Southern Cross + 1 large Commonwealth Star), New Zealand has only 4 stars.
- Australia's stars are white and seven-pointed, New Zealand's are red with white borders and five-pointed.
- Australia has a large Commonwealth Star (Federation Star) below the Union Jack — New Zealand does not.
- The shade of blue differs: Australia uses a darker navy blue, New Zealand uses a royal blue.
- The arrangement of the Southern Cross stars differs slightly between the two flags.
Similarities
- Both feature a blue background (Blue Ensign).
- Both have the Union Jack (British flag) in the canton.
- Both depict the Southern Cross constellation.
- Both reflect their historical ties to the British Empire.
Why Do Australia and New Zealand Flags Look So Similar?
Both flags are based on the British Blue Ensign — a blue flag with the Union Jack in the corner, used by British colonies and territories. As former British colonies in the Southern Hemisphere, both Australia and New Zealand chose to feature the Southern Cross, a constellation visible in the southern sky that became a symbol of identity. Australia adopted its flag in 1901, New Zealand in 1902. The shared colonial heritage and geographic proximity naturally led to similar designs.
History of the Australian Flag
Australia's flag was chosen through a public design competition in 1901, shortly after Federation. Over 32,000 entries were submitted. The winning design featured the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star (originally six-pointed, changed to seven in 1908 to represent the territories), and the Southern Cross. The flag became officially recognized by the Flags Act of 1953.
History of the New Zealand Flag
New Zealand's flag was adopted on March 24, 1902, based on the Blue Ensign with the Southern Cross. In 2015–2016, New Zealand held a national referendum on whether to change the flag. The alternative design (a silver fern on black and blue) lost to the existing flag, which was retained by 56.6% of voters.
Color Comparison
Australia Flag Colors
New Zealand Flag Colors
Fun Facts
- New Zealand's Prime Minister once joked that Australia 'copied' their flag, since New Zealand adopted the Southern Cross design first (on colonial flags from 1869).
- In 2015–2016, New Zealand held a $26 million referendum to change its flag — and voted to keep the current one.
- The two flags are so similar that they've been mixed up at official ceremonies, including at sporting events.
- Australia's Commonwealth Star has 7 points — 6 for the original states plus 1 for the territories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Australia and New Zealand flags look alike?
Both flags are based on the British Blue Ensign — a blue flag with the Union Jack in the corner, used by British colonies and territories. As former British colonies in the Southern Hemisphere, both Australia and New Zealand chose to feature the Southern Cross, a constellation visible in the southern sky that became a symbol of identity. Australia adopted its flag in 1901, New Zealand in 1902. The shared colonial heritage and geographic proximity naturally led to similar designs.
What is the difference between the Australia and New Zealand flag?
- Australia has 6 stars (5 Southern Cross + 1 large Commonwealth Star), New Zealand has only 4 stars.
- Australia's stars are white and seven-pointed, New Zealand's are red with white borders and five-pointed.
- Australia has a large Commonwealth Star (Federation Star) below the Union Jack — New Zealand does not.
- The shade of blue differs: Australia uses a darker navy blue, New Zealand uses a royal blue.
- The arrangement of the Southern Cross stars differs slightly between the two flags.
Are the Australia and New Zealand flags the same?
No, while they look very similar, the flags of Australia and New Zealand have distinct differences. Australia has 6 stars (5 Southern Cross + 1 large Commonwealth Star), New Zealand has only 4 stars.
Can You Tell Them Apart?
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