Historical Background of the National Flag of New Zealand---
Evidences suggest that the earliest flag of New Zealand was adopted on 9th March 1834 by the United Tribes of New Zealand. Before that Sir George Murray initiated the need for a national flag as his ship was seized by the custom officials of British Army, since he had been traveling without a flag. Initially, Henry Williams, one of the popular European missionaries who arrived at New Zealand, was given the responsibility to design flags. Accordingly he embarked on three different designs. It was only after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, that the British Union Flag was formally accepted, yet few natives still followed the United Tribes flag. The present flag of New Zealand was adopted on 1869 and was primarily used in government ships meant for trading and naval purposes. However, to end the ongoing confusion regarding the designs of the flag and their subsequent implementation, the Liberal Government passed the Ensign and Code Signals Bill, which was later approved by King Edward VII on 24 March 1902, thereby declaring it as national flag of New Zealand.
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