A SHORT HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL
FLAG
The
genesis of New Zealand’s Flag pre-dates the establishment of the colony in
1840. During the first stages of British settlement, prior to the Treaty of
Waitangi, there was no established government in New Zealand. Early Maori did
not have a government as it is understood today, nor indeed was New Zealand a
single country. The consuls of the European powers which were present in New
Zealand flew the flags of their respective countries. Visiting ships
similarly flew their national flags, or marine ensigns.
Influenced
by the use of flag by European residents , some Maori tribes adopted
standards or flags. There was however nothing to equate to a national flag,
if only because there was no unified nation.
In
1830 New South Wales was already a British colony, and subject to British
navigation and seamanship laws. Every visiting ship was required to carry a
certificate identifying its place of construction, ownership, and the
nationality of the ship. There was at the time no such requirement for ships
trading within New Zealand waters. New Zealand-built ships couldn’t sail
under a British flag, or be registered by the Admiralty, even if they traded
outside New Zealand waters. Increasingly New Zealand based vessels were
venturing into the South Pacific. A legal entanglement was inevitable.
Without a flag to represent the nation, or indeed a nation to be represented,
trading ships ran the risk of seizure.
The
Hokianga-built trading vessel Sir George Murray visited Sydney in 1830, carrying a
cargo of flax and timber. She had been built at Horeke, on the Hokianga
Harbour, and was sailing without a flag or register. The vessel was
accordingly seized by Customs officials, and detained at Neutral Bay. Two
Maori chiefs, possibly the influential chiefs Patuone and Taonui, were on
board. It is reported that the Maori
population were 'exceedingly indignant' upon hearing the news of the seizure
of the ship.
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