Oceania · Union Jack canton
How to draw the flag of New Zealand
The flag of New Zealand is a Union Jack in the canton over a plain field in blue, white and red, with four red stars. It flies at a ratio of 1:2.
Step by step
- Start with the right shape. New Zealand flies at 1:2 — for every 2 units of width the flag is 1 tall. Sketch that rectangle first; a flag drawn too square is the fastest way to lose layout points.
- Block in the background. Fill the whole flag with blue first, then build the rest on top of it. Working from the largest area to the smallest keeps the proportions honest.
- Add the white and red. A Union Jack in the canton over a plain field. Place these shapes by eye against the edges of the flag, not against each other.
- Finish with the union jack and four red stars. Detail is the last ten percent of the score, so leave it until the colour blocks are down. Size and position count for more than drawing every line of it.
New Zealand flag colours
The colour codes below are the ones to reach for if you are recreating the flag digitally.
| Colour | Hex | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | #012169 | rgb(1, 33, 105) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
| Red | #C8102E | rgb(200, 16, 46) |
What the flag means
The four red stars of the Southern Cross on royal blue, with the Union Jack in the canton.
Common mistakes
- Adding the extra stars from the Australian flag. New Zealand has exactly four, they are red with white borders, and there is no star under the canton.
- Watch out for Australia, the United Kingdom and Tuvalu — they are close enough to New Zealand that people draw the wrong one from memory.
A trick for remembering it
New Zealand: four Red stars. Australia: more, and white.
Flags that look like this one
Side-by-side breakdowns of the pairs people mix up:
Questions about the New Zealand flag
What colours are on the flag of New Zealand?
New Zealand uses 3 colours: blue (#012169), white (#FFFFFF), red (#C8102E).
What are the proportions of the New Zealand flag?
It flies at 1:2 (height to width). Drawing it at the wrong shape is one of the quickest ways to lose layout marks in the game.
What does the New Zealand flag mean?
The four red stars of the Southern Cross on royal blue, with the Union Jack in the canton.
Which flags look like the New Zealand flag?
Australia, United Kingdom, Tuvalu. Watch out for Australia, the United Kingdom and Tuvalu — they are close enough to New Zealand that people draw the wrong one from memory.
How hard is the New Zealand flag to draw from memory?
PlayVexle rates it 4 out of 5. There is detailed artwork in the middle, which is worth only 10% of the score — get the colour blocks right first.
