Do you know the history of this flag?

The official name for Te Kara (The Colour) is Te Kara o Te Whakaminenga o Nga Hapu o Nu Tireni – The Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand.

This flag  was adopted by 25 northern chiefs and their followers in March 1834 in response to the fact that their ships trading with Australia were liable to be seized unless they had a flag or certificate representing their country of origin.

The adoption of the flag was the first act of Māori in claiming a collective nationhood. Following the adoption of the flag, many of the same chiefs met again the following year and issued a Declaration of Independence which represented a claim of sovereignty over the country.

After the signing of the te Tiriti only the Union Jack was used by British officials. However Te Kara is still a legal New Zealand flag and remains a symbol of Māori independence for many.

For more information   www.waitangi.co.nz