Maori Flags and Banners

Te Ao Hou, March 1965, Page 32

In the troubled times of the 1860s and 1870s, many sections of the Maori people sought new symbols to serve them as a rallying-point and a source of strength. Some of these historic flags of a century ago are still in existence today. Maori Flags and Banners by Margaret Orbell though long strings of feathers floated from the tall stern-pieces of their war canoes, the Maori people in former times did not possess flags similar to those of the Pakeha. However they were at once attracted to them, for they had a keen interest in signs and symbols, and quickly learnt how much importance their Pakeha visitors attached to these bright cloths. When James Busby, British Resident at the Bay of Islands, suggested in 1834 that the Maori people adopt a flag of their own, the northern chiefs readily agreed to this. After some discussion they voted in favour of a large flag having a red St George's Cross on a white ground, and in the top left-hand quarter a second St George's Cross on a blue ground. Within the quarters of this upper area were four white stars representing the Southern Cross.