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The flag of New Zealand was introduced in 1869 and adopted as the national flag in 1902. It is a defaced British blue ensign, with the Union Jack, in the top left hand corner, and four red stars with white borders to the right.
The Union Jack symbolises New Zealand's Commonwealth heritage. The stars represent the Southern Cross and have five points, all of the same size.
The flag is similar to the Australian flag which has six solid white stars (a large seven-pointed star representing the seven main states and territories in Australia, and four seven-pointed stars plus a smaller five-pointed star representing the Southern Cross).