Two New Zealand flags were mistakenly flown outside Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra during a ceremony marking 125 years since the Australian national flag was first raised.
The flags were among 44 ensigns displayed at Capital Hill on Thursday, 3 September, which is recognised as Australian National Flag Day. The error was spotted by observers who noticed the Southern Cross consisted of four red stars with white borders rather than Australia’s five white stars.
Australia’s flag also features a sixth Commonwealth Star beneath the Union Jack. The two designs are sufficiently similar to have fuelled occasional confusion — and past political debate — between the trans-Tasman neighbours.
The Australian flag was first flown above Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building on 3 September 1901, following an international competition to create a national design. The competition attracted 32,823 entries, with five near-identical designs eventually sharing first prize, according to the Australian Government. ([pmc.gov.au](https://www.pmc.gov.au/news/celebrating-125-years-australian-national-flag?utm_source=openai))
Among the rejected ideas were several more elaborate proposals, including a kangaroo leaping through the Southern Cross and a scene showing native animals playing cricket.
Although the design was used from 1901, it was not formally adopted under Australia’s Flags Act until 1954. New Zealand’s flag was officially recognised in 1902 under the New Zealand Ensign Act. ([nzhistory.govt.nz](https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/new-zealand-flag-confirmed?utm_source=openai))
Australian National Flag Day was formally proclaimed in 1996 and is observed each year on 3 September to commemorate the first official flying of the flag. ([pmc.gov.au](https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/australian-national-symbols/australian-national-flag/australian-national-flag-day?utm_source=openai))
The Australian flag flies continuously above Parliament House and is displayed alongside the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag inside both chambers.
Parliament House is due to continue its anniversary commemorations by flying the national flag from all 44 ceremonial flagpoles on 10 September.
