Skip to main content
The COVID-19 Cultural Recovery Programme Impacts Report 2021/22 looks at the impact of COVID-19 funding for the arts, culture, heritage, media and broadcasting sectors delivered between June 2021 and July 2022. 
COVID-19 Cultural Recovery Programme Impacts Report 2021/22
The Government is making it easier for the screen sector to access support in order to attract more domestic and international productions to help grow the economy.
Supporting a strong future for screen sector
More than forty cultural sector initiatives have been announced today as the latest recipients of the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund, giving them the backing they need to make a lasting impact for the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Third Regeneration Fund decisions to support key cultural infrastructure
Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa is calling for public nominations for ngā toi Māori artists, arts practitioners to be recognised at this year’s Ngā Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi Awards 2023. The purpose of Ngā Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi Awards is to recognise artistic excellence, achievement and the contribution of Māori artists working in customary and contemporary ngā toi Māori to Aotearoa New Zealand. Three awards are open for public nomination from 5 May to 12 June 2023.
Nga Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi 2023 Nominations Open Now
Shakespeare’s greatest love story returns to the Royal New Zealand Ballet in a passionate re-telling choreographed by Andrea Schermoly (Stand to Reason, Within Without). Exquisite sets and costumes by Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson, first seen onstage in 2017 to universal acclaim, bring to life all the splendour and seduction of Renaissance Verona, swept up in Prokofiev’s exhilarating, sensuous score. Touring nationwide, the latest production finishes in Napier on 10 June.
RNZB presents Romeo & Juliet
Saturday 1 July and Sunday 2 July will see senior Māori performers from around the country take the stage in Te Papa’s Soundings Theatre. More than a dozen groups from the far north to Te Waipounamu are travelling to Te Papa to perform kapa haka over the two days. The event is free to the public, and the performances are live-streamed by Te Papa on Facebook and YouTube to reach a national and global audience – in the past more than 100,000 people have viewed live-streams of the performances.
Taikura Kapa Haka returns to Te Papa Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July
The New Zealand Symphony will perform selections from a landmark work by legendary Baroque violin virtuoso Heinrich Biber from Kerikeri to Blenheim in June.
Bohemian rhapsody: NZSO to perform Baroque masterpiece
Significant damage caused at the National Erebus Memorial site by recent extreme and unprecedented weather events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, means a new enduring home for the memorial needs to be found.
New site required for National Erebus Memorial due to safety concerns
As the Mānawatia a Matariki exhibition opens, Te Papa is sharing nationwide research and visitor insights that show how New Zealanders are embracing the indigenous New Year. The museum has also released its Matariki events programme including Taikura Kapa Haka, and launched new online resources at https://tepapa.nz/matariki.
Te Papa research reveals how New Zealanders mark Matariki

Get the full story

Kāinga Te tuakiri, te taonga tuku iho o Aotearoa Ngā Haki Answers to common questions

Answers to common questions

How did the New Zealand Flag come about?

The design of New Zealand's national flag emerged over several years before being officially approved in 1902. Its origins date from 1865 when the British Government instructed that vessels from the colonies should fly the Blue Ensign with the seal or badge of the colony on it.

New Zealand didn’t have a recognised badge at the time, so its vessels flew the Blue Ensign without any markings until reprimanded by the British Government. Mr G Eliott, Secretary of the General Post Office, recommended that the four stars of the Southern Cross be used as New Zealand's badge but this was rejected. Instead the words ‘New Zealand’ were added to the Blue Ensign, and later shortened to ‘NZ’ in red letters with white borders.

In 1869, Governor Sir George Bowen directed that the Southern Cross replace ‘NZ’ on the Blue Ensign. The Southern Cross was represented by four five-pointed red stars with white borders to correspond with the colours of the Union Jack. Still officially a maritime flag, the flag was used on land and gradually became recognised as New Zealand’s national flag. In 1902, the flag officially became the National Flag of New Zealand.

The above YouTube clip provides a history of the New Zealand Flag. This clip was produced by the Flag Consideration Project.

Why do New Zealand and Australia use a similar pattern of stars on their flags?

Both Australia and New Zealand chose the Southern Cross constellation for their flags.  The stars on the Australian Flag are white and have more points than the New Zealand Flag to show their brightness in the sky. 

The fifth smaller star on the Australian Flag can be seen when looking at the Southern Cross and there was some debate in New Zealand as to whether the fifth star should be included on the New Zealand Flag. They decided just to use the four stars that mark the points of the compass. The sixth and largest star on the Australian Flag, below the Union Jack, is the Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia on 1 January 1901.

There is one point for each of the six original states, and one to represent all of Australia's internal and external territories. The colours of the stars on both flags were chosen to complement the colours of the Union Jack shown in the top left-hand corner of both flags.

What do the markings on the New Zealand Flag stand for?

The stars on the Flag represent the Southern Cross constellation, emphasising New Zealand's location in the South Pacific Ocean.  The Union Jack in the top left-hand corner of the Flag recognises New Zealand’s historical foundations as a former British colony and dominion.

What laws govern the New Zealand Flag and what protocols should I follow when flying the Flag?

See Flying the New Zealand Flag.

When should the New Zealand Flag be flown at half-mast?

There are specific times when the New Zealand Flag is flown at half-mast.  The Prime Minister and the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage can also direct that the Flag be flown at half-mast on Government buildings to mark the death of an important figure. It is optional for schools, local government, organisations and individuals to fly the Flag at half-mast on such occasions.

When the New Zealand Flag is flown at half-mast, other flags shouldn’t be flown above it. The Flag should be raised again to the peak before being lowered for the day.

Half-masting the New Zealand Flag

What is the correct process for folding the New Zealand flag?

The following details showing how to fold the New Zealand flag are taken from the New Zealand Flag booklet produced by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Page 1 - Folding and storing the Flag (PDF)

Page 2 - Folding and storing the Flag (PDF)

Can I use the New Zealand Flag on my website or in advertising?

Any person or organisation may use the New Zealand Flag in advertising.  You must reproduce the Flag in its true form and colours.  Letters or designs shouldn’t be added to the Flag, unless they appear in a different dimension and are clearly separate from the Flag's design.  You can discuss your ideas with the Ministry if you want to use the New Zealand Flag in advertisements or for commercial purposes.

Where can I get a New Zealand Flag?

New Zealand flag manufacturers, include the following suppliers:  

The Ministry does not hold any supplies of the New Zealand Flag.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) offers a flag hire service. Subject to availability, DIA hires the flags of most countries of the world for indoor or outdoor events such as conferences, functions, and parades in New Zealand.

Flag hire service

How should I dispose of a flag in poor condition?

The New Zealand Flag should never be flown in a dilapidated condition. You should dispose of an old flag by burning it discreetly in some type of incinerator, not by taking it to a rubbish dump. It’s important the flag is not destroyed in public view. Some flag-making companies offer facilities for disposing of flags.

File downloads

Updated on 11th May 2023