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New vice-regal flag for New Zealand

Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, recently approved a new vice-regal flag (above) for her governor-general, His Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, PCNZM, QSO, KStJ. The flag has a blue field charged with the shield from the coat of arms of Her Majesty in Right of New Zealand, topped by St. Edward’s crown. The previous flag (below) was of the standard viceregal type for the British Commonwealth of Nations, depicting the crest from the British royal arms with a scroll bearing the name of the dominion.

His Excellency, incidentally, is the first Catholic governor-general in the history of New Zealand.

Published at 9:50 pm on Wednesday 11 June 2008. Categories: Design Flags Heraldry Monarchy Tags: , , , , .
Comments

I like the new flag. However, by creating a banner for the Governor-General that bears the arms of the Realm the flag approaches the look of the New Zealand Royal Standard. Is this some sort of creeping republicanism trying to elevate the Governor-General to head of state status?

— Harold 12 Jun 2008 7:05 am

I look at it more as gently tweaking the monarchy to further suit New Zealand. It’s a handsome flag, more distinctive, and with the crown very prominently displayed, and the old standard issue G-G flag is a tad dull, I’ll admit.

Canada also changed their vice-regal flag, and for the better.

More disappointing is that the current G-G of NZ has not been made a knight.

— Andrew Cusack 12 Jun 2008 11:56 am

At first I was taken with the sheep/lamb image thinking…how Christian…but then I considered that sheep are probably an important industry in New Zealand…still…one can hope.

— mcmlxix 12 Jun 2008 9:00 pm

I’m reasonably ‘pro’ after mulling it over for some time. It’s hardly novel, however, the Governor-Lieutenants of the provinces of Canada have been using very similar flags for a long time.

Just rather a shame that Rory the Merry Royal Lion has to disappear.

— Jack 14 Jun 2008 9:54 am

mcmlxix:
I thought the sheep look an awful lot like from the Order of the Golden fleece.

Andrew:
Agreed the flag is very nice and distinctive. Question: was the British crown ever granted the Order of the Golden fleece through marriage or inheritance?

xavier

— xavier 14 Jun 2008 10:50 am

One of the few instances where change is good.

— The young fogey 18 Jun 2008 1:05 pm
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