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Last modified: 2023-08-12 by ian macdonald
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![[Flag of Niue]](../images/n/nu.gif)
1:2 image by António Martins, 2 February 2000
See also:
Niue (population 1,751 (1992)) is a self governing territory in free association with New Zealand (similar to the
Cook Islands I wrote about earlier). Niue is fully responsible for its internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for foreign affairs. Niue achieved this status in 1974. Its "yellow ensign" flag was adopted in 1975.
Stuart Park, 15
December 1995
More information on this flag, the "Yellow Ensign":
Crampton's "World of Flags" states that the yellow field is to symbolize "the warm friendship between Niue and New Zealand", whose colony Niue is.
Reading between the lines some, I gather this flag was something of a tribute to New Zealand: they wanted something yellow for the friendship angle, and they wanted to honor their host country by making the flags similar...so they made it a yellow field and moved the five stars usually found on the NZ flag to the canton.
Taken this way, I'm not even sure that the islanders even considered Britain at all in "defacing" the Union Flag. To them, it was part of NZ's flag, just a pretty, striped canton, and they innocently modified it for their own friendly purposes.
With any luck, the British won't be floating battleships into Alofi (Niue's capital) and demanding of the confused islanders that they remove those stars...
:-)
Steve `Scooter' Kramer, 9 June 1996
The Niue Consulate in Auckland (New Zealand) has provided some official details about the Niue flag. It reads:
The Niue National Flag shall be described as follows :"The Niue National Flag shall be a golden yellow Flag, bearing in the upper canton of the hoist thereof the Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack, displaying two five-pointed yellow stars on the vertical line and on the horizontal line thereof separated by a blue disc containing a larger yellow star."
And it shall mean:
"Golden yellow" represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warm feelings of the Niuean people towards New Zealand and her people.
"The Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack" represents that Niue was a British Protectorate, proclaimed on 19 October 1900 after petitioning by the Kings and Chiefs of Niue to Great Britain for the Union Flag to be flown in Niue as the symbol of protection.
"The four small stars" represent the Southern Cross and New Zealand under whose administration Niue was placed by Great Britain in 1901 and as well the continuing close relationship between Niue and New Zealand.
"The larger star within the blue disc" represents the self-governing status of Niue, standing alone within the deep blue sea.
Stuart Park, 28 June 1996
I assume that the height (not circle's diameter) of the stars on the horizontal crossbar and the width of the stars on the vertical crossbar are identical to the St. George cross' thickness, and that the central star and circle have a diameter identical to the St. George cross' thickness, including fimbriations.
António Martins 2 February 2000
If this is so, wouldn't that make the two pairs of stars differently sized on the bars of the St. George's cross? I think that at least as reasonable an assumption as the first one would be that the fours stars are equal. Maybe the fours stars are somewhat less then SGC width? Would half the central star diameter fit? It is hard to tell from any small sited image available to me.
Željko Heimer, 5 February, 2000
A Niuean source provides us with legislation regarding the Niue flag. It was
adopted by the Niue Flag Act 1975, 1975/16 – 1975 (unlike other acts, not more
precise date provided here then simply 1975). It does not provide any
drawings, nor dimensions of the flag and its part, but it provides explanation
of the symbolic. It is short enough to be quoted in extenso (Niue
Laws | Tau Fakatufono-tohi a Niue, Legislation as at December 2006, Volume 3 |
Tohi 3,Statutes, N-Z, Government of Niue, Alofi, 2006, pp. 1365-1366,
http://www.gov.nu/wb/media/Volume%203.pdf):
Niue Flag Act 1975
1975/16 – 1975
To provide for the establishment and use of a Niue Flag
1 Short title
This is the Niue Flag Act 1975.
2 Niue Flag
(1) The
Niue Flag shall be the flag described in the Schedule.
(2) The Niue Flag is
hereby declared to be the recognised flag of Niue.
(3) Any other flag
hitherto prescribed or used as the recognised flag of Niue is hereby declared
to be disestablished in Niue.
3 Regulations
Cabinet may make
regulations prescribing the circumstances in which and the conditions subject
to which the Niue Flag may be flown.
4 Offences
Every person who
defaces the Niue Flag by placing any sign, representation, or letter thereon
commits an offence, and is liable to a fine not exceeding 5 penalty units or a
term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months.
Schedule
THE NIUE FLAG
The Niue Flag shall be described as follows:
“The Niue National Flag shall
be a golden yellow flag, bearing on the upper canton of the hoist thereof 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.”
AND IT SHALL
MEAN:
Golden yellow represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warm
feelings of the Niuean people towards New Zealand and her people. The Union
Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack represents that Niue was a British
Protectorate, proclaimed on 19 October 1900 after petitioning by the Kings and
Chiefs of Niue to Great Britain for the Union Flag to be flown in Niue as the
symbol of protection. The four small stars represent the Southern Cross and
New Zealand under whose administration Niue was placed by Great Britain in
1901 and as well reflecting the continuing close relationship between Niue and
New Zealand. The larger star within the blue disc represents the
self-governing status of Niue, standing alone within the deep blue sea.
On the page 1586 in the text of another act (Territorial Sea and
Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1996) it is mentioned "... by vessels carrying the
flag of Niue..." which would imply that the flag of Niue is indeed used not
only on land but also by the vessels registered in Niue, therefore it is
indeed a yellow ensign (and not CS-/--- as "conservatively" indicated on
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Niue and World Flag Database,
http://www.flags.net/NIUE.htm).
Željko Heimer, 21 January 2012
From 2012 the Niue Flag is also prescribed in the 'National colours' section
of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Foreign Vessels) Act 2012. Section
39 (1) says; 'The National Flag shall be the proper national colours for a
ship registered under this Act.'. In Section 3 Definitions, "National Flag"
means the National Flag of Niue. So after nearly two hundred years, the
mythical 'yellow ensign' of the Royal Navy now actually exists in the shipping
law of a Commonwealth nation, albeit with a defaced Union canton.
Jeff
Thomson, 19 January 2018
![[Seal]](../images/n/nu).gif)
image located by John Moody, 28 August 2022
Niue’s Very Own Public Seal – Palātaue ha Niue
The Seal of Niue was
approved by Cabinet under article 15 of the Niue Constitution. The Niue
Legislative Assembly of 29th September 2021 passed an Act for the use of the
Seal of Niue and to provide for the Coat of Arms and related matters.
In 1974 Niue became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand.
The Constitution of Niue provides that there shall be a Public Seal of Niue, to
be in such form or forms as the Cabinet from time to time approves. At the time
of self-government, Cabinet agreed to continue to use the New Zealand Coat of
Arms as the Public Seal of Niue. This was a temporary measure until the Cabinet
approves a different form or forms as envisaged in the Niue Constitution.
As
a young nation Niue has come a long way to creating its own identity and
positioning itself to stand out in the world through its diplomatic partnerships
and regional and international relations.
The Niue Public Seal represents
Niue and all its distinct features in particular cultural significance, country
history, and geographical appropriateness. It is also a fundamental part to
foster Niue’s position in the world and will be a symbol for all Niue peoples.
It reflects the features that sets Niue apart as a country and an image to
sustain Niue’s political dynamics.
Custody of the Seal - the Seal of Niue
shall be in the custody of the Speaker.
Use of the Seal - the Seal of
Niue may be used by the Speaker, on the advice of Cabinet, for the
authentication of any public document in relation to the Government of Niue or
for the execution of any document required by law to be executed under the Seal
of Niue.
Judicial Notice of the Seal - Judicial notice shall be taken of
the Seal of Niue in all Courts.
Offences - a person commits an offence
and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred penalty units
and imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years who – (a) uses the Seal of
Niue without prior authority; (b) makes a copy or imitation of the Seal of Niue
without prior authority.
Description of the Seal : The nation of Niue is
bound to God and respects the Queen of England as its Head of State. The
government and its people are joined together in defending, fostering and
strengthening the values of the nation which are represented by the unique
environment we all live in.
Motto: “Atua, Niue Tukulagi - God, Niue
Eternally”
Crown: The Crown represents the Sovereign as the Head of
State. It also represents Niue’s historical affiliation with Great Britain and
the arrival of the Gospel.
Outer Circle: The Outer Circle represents the
14 villages of Niue and is in the form of a traditional Niue garland that is
presented at ceremonies as a gift that symbolises honour, welcome and respect.
The traditional Niue design represents the binding of Niue to the rest of the
world, with the world being represented by the circular shape of the design The
crown resting on top of the garland shows the utmost respect and honour the
people of Niue have for the Sovereign. But most significantly for the tagata
Niue, the Outer Circle depicts an umbilical cord; the spiritual connection of
the tagata Niue to the land and the ocean that surrounds it.
Inner
circle: The Inner Circle represents the natural and unique environment of Niue.
The fonua (land) is nurtured to provide for the sustainability of the tagata
Niue and the spirit of unity by the people to gather, guard and protect its
natural resources.
The triangular shapes within in the Inner Circle represent
the hiapo designs to signify the jagged coral and the harsh coastal environment
of Niue frequently described as the Rock of Polynesia.
Tree: The tree and
the designs of the flora of Niue represents life. The designs are based on the
original Niue Hiapo representing life, sustenance, culture, prosperity and the
tagata Niue.
Katoua: These two cleaving clubs are the katoua that
represent defence and security. The clubs are bound together symbolising the
unity of Tafiti and Motu. Together, they can fulfil the vision of, “Working
Together to Protect the People and the Environment”.
Concepts to the design
of the Niue Public Seal were provided by Mr. Kenneth Green of Alofi. The Tāoga
Niue Council and Vagahau Niue Commission collaborated with Niue Crown Law Office
and New Zealand Mint to the presentation of design for Cabinet’s approval. The
work commenced in 2016 under the guidance of former Minister Tāoga Niue and
Premier of Niue, the late Sir Toke T Talagi, KNZM.
Roman Klimes,
10 August 2022
This replaces the previous Public Seal of Niue featuring the New Zealand Coat of
Arms with a more Indigenous design. A Coat of Arms for Niue has also been
adopted minus the words Public Seal of Niue.
John Moody, 28 August
2022
![[Flag of Niue Yacht Club]](../images/n/nu_mutalau.jpg)
image located by Aleksandar Nemet, 4 May 2010
The flag of Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust can be seen here:
http://www.mumt.co.nz/images/MutalauFlagMedium.jpg.
Description of a
flag:
"The central big star represents Niue as stand alone nation in
the wide Pacific ocean. The five stars represent the Southern Cross on the Niue
flag which signifies its link to the Commonwealth. The torch and dove go hand in
hand and both represent Mutalau as being the first village of Niue to receive
the gospel. Navy blue is the official Mutalau colour."
Source:
http://www.mumt.co.nz/about/about.htm
More about Mutalau on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutalau
Aleksandar Nemet, 4 May 2010
![[Flag of Niue Yacht Club]](../images/n/nu~yc.gif)
based on an image by Mason Kaye
The Niue Yacht Club in the South Pacific has a yellow background, with a green
map of Niue Island. The longitude and latitude are given in green: 19 degrees S,
169 degrees 55 W.
Source: The Complete Guide To Clubs & Flags, p. 30
Mason Kaye, 11 June 2004
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