<P> New Zealand 's first flag , the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand , was adopted in 1834 , six years before New Zealand became a British colony following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 . Chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs at Waitangi in 1834 , the flag was of a St George 's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field . After the formation of the colony in 1840 , British ensigns began to be used . The current flag was designed and adopted for use on Colonial ships in 1869 , was quickly adopted as New Zealand 's national flag , and given statutory recognition in 1902 . </P>
<P> New Zealand 's first flag , the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand , was adopted in 1834 , six years before New Zealand became a British colony following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 . Chosen by an assembly of Māori chiefs at Waitangi in 1834 , the flag was of a St George 's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field . After the formation of the colony in 1840 , British ensigns began to be used . The current flag was designed and adopted for use on Colonial ships in 1869 , was quickly adopted as New Zealand 's national flag , and given statutory recognition in 1902 . </P>
when was the new zealand flag first used
when was the new zealand flag first used
1869
1869