A golden yellow flag with theUnion flag in the upper left (hoist) quarter of the flags. On the Union Jack are two yellow five-pointed stars on the vertical stripe and two on the horizontal stripe. In the centre of the Union flag is a blue disc with another, slightly larger, yellow five-pointed star.
Flag of Niue at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, 2022Niue flag visible at right.
Theflag ofNiue was adopted on 15 October 1975. It consists of theUnion Jack in the upper left corner with a star in the middle of the Union Jack and four stars forming a diamond around it. It is very unusual for a flag based on aBritish ensign design, in having not only a yellow background, but also adefaced (edited) Union Jack in thecanton.[1] It was designed byPatricia Rex, the wife of the then-PremierRobert Rex.[2]
From theNiue Flag Act 1975: "The Niue National Flag shall be a golden yellow flag, bearing on the upper canton of the hoist there of the Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack, displaying 2 five-pointed yellow stars on the vertical line and on the horizontal line thereof separated by a blue disc containing a larger five-pointed yellow star."[3]
The symbolism represented by the flag is described in the Act. The Union Jack symbolises the protection granted by the United Kingdom in 1900 after petitioning by the Kings and Chiefs of Niue. The yellow field symbolises "the bright sunshine of Niue and the warm feelings of the Niuean people towards New Zealand and her people."[3] The association with New Zealand, which took over responsibility and administration of Niue in 1901, is also represented by the four small stars that depict the Southern Cross. Finally, the blue disc containing a larger star represents the deep blue sea surrounding the self-governing island of Niue.[3]