Oceania · NU / NIU
Flag of Niue
The Niue flag is golden yellow with the British Union Jack in the upper left corner. At the center of the Union Jack is a blue disc with a yellow star, and four smaller yellow stars sit on its arms. It was adopted on 15 October 1975. It was designed by Patricia Rex, wife of the then Premier Robert Rex.
What the flag of Niue looks like
The flag has a bright, golden-yellow field with a 1:2 ratio. The Union Jack occupies the canton, the upper corner next to the pole, in the pattern of a British ensign. On the Union Jack, a blue disc rests at the center with a larger yellow five-pointed star, and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars are placed on the vertical and horizontal lines of the cross, two on each line, with the disc between them, forming a diamond.
The yellow ground makes it stand out among flags based on the British ensign, most of which have a blue or red field. Niue is in free association with New Zealand, and the Niue flag is a distinct design from the New Zealand flag. To see how it appears on a screen, see the Niue flag emoji.
Niue flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#FEDD00RGB
254, 221, 0CMYK
0, 13, 100, 0HEX
#FFFFFFRGB
255, 255, 255CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0HEX
#012169RGB
1, 33, 105CMYK
99, 69, 0, 59HEX
#C8102ERGB
200, 16, 46CMYK
0, 92, 77, 22Niue flag meaning and symbolism
The meanings of the flag are:
- Golden yellow: the bright sunshine of Niue and the warm feelings of the Niuean people toward New Zealand and her people.
- Union Jack: the protection granted by the United Kingdom in 1900, after the Kings and Chiefs of Niue petitioned for it.
- Blue disc with a larger star: the deep blue sea surrounding the self-governing island of Niue.
- Four small stars: the Southern Cross, representing the association with New Zealand, which took over responsibility for Niue in 1901.
These meanings are described in the Niue Flag Act 1975.
History of the Niue flag
Niue, a raised coral island in the South Pacific, was first sighted by Captain James Cook's expedition in 1774. It became a British protectorate in 1900 and was brought within New Zealand's boundaries in 1901. Niue became self-governing in free association with New Zealand in October 1974, and the Niue flag was adopted on 15 October 1975, a year after self-government.
The flag is unusual among flags based on British ensigns: it has a yellow field rather than a blue or red one, and a defaced Union Jack in the canton. Its design is set out in the Niue Flag Act 1975. In 2023 it was noted that some funerals used flags that did not follow the colors prescribed in the Act.
Niue's status and which flag it uses
Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand is responsible for its defense and, when asked, for foreign affairs, and Niueans hold New Zealand citizenship. The Niue flag is the flag of the state. With about 1,800 residents, it is one of the least populous self-governing states in the world.
Niue flag facts
| Country | Niue |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | October 15, 1975 |
| Proportions | 1:2 |
| Colors | #FEDD00, #FFFFFF, #012169, #C8102E |
| Symbols | Crux, disk, five-pointed star, Union Jack |
| Flag emoji | 🇳🇺 |
| Country code | NU, NIU (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Alofi |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Population | 1,821 |
| Area | 260 km² |
| Currency | New Zealand dollar, Niue dollar |
| National anthem | Ko e Iki he Lagi |
Niue flag: frequently asked questions
What does the Niue flag represent?
The yellow stands for sunshine and for warm feelings toward New Zealand, the Union Jack for the historic link with Britain, and the blue disc for the sea. The big star represents Niue and the four small stars the Southern Cross.
Is Niue part of New Zealand?
Not exactly. Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. It runs its own affairs, while New Zealand supports it with defense, and Niueans are New Zealand citizens.
Is Niue the smallest country?
It is among the smallest self-governing states in the world by population, with fewer than 2,000 residents, and covers about 260 square kilometers. It is not a member of the United Nations.
When was the Niue flag adopted?
It was adopted on 15 October 1975, about a year after Niue became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.
Why does the Niue flag have the Union Jack?
The Union Jack in the canton recalls the protection granted by the United Kingdom in 1900, after the kings and chiefs of Niue asked for it. New Zealand took over administration in 1901, which is why the Niue flag meaning also includes four small stars for the Southern Cross.
Who designed the Niue flag?
The flag was designed by Patricia Rex, wife of the then Premier Robert Rex. Its yellow field and defaced Union Jack are unusual for a flag based on a British ensign, and the 1975 Niue Flag Act defines the design.
