This notice is made by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage under section 10 of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981.

Notice

1. Title

This notice is the New Zealand Flag Notice 2024.

2. Commencement

This notice comes into force on 1 March 2024.

Days and occasions on which New Zealand Flag to be flown on Government buildings

3. Days of National Commemoration

(1) The New Zealand Flag must, subject to clauses 6 and 7 and to subclause (2), be flown at full mast on Government buildings on the following days of national commemoration:

1. on 6 February, being Waitangi Day:
2. on the second Monday in March, being Commonwealth Day:
3. on 25 April, being Anzac Day:
4. on 6 May, being Coronation Day:
5. on the first Monday in June, being the day of observance of the Sovereign’s birthday:
6. on 21 June, being the birthday of the Prince of Wales:
7. on Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day:
8. on 17 July, being the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen Consort:
9. on 8 September, being the day of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles the Third:
10. on 24 October, being United Nations Day:
11. on the fourth Monday in October, being Labour Day:
12. on 14 November, being the actual birthday of His Majesty The King.

(2) Where subclause (1)(c) applies, the New Zealand Flag may be lowered to half mast for the duration of a memorial service, as a sign of respect.

4. Other Official Occasions

(1) The New Zealand Flag must, subject to clauses 6 and 7, be flown at full mast on Government buildings in any locality that is being visited by—

1. the Sovereign; or
2. any other member of the Royal Family; or
3. any head of State; or
4. any head of Government.

(2) The New Zealand Flag must, subject to clauses 6 and 7, be flown at full mast on Government buildings at Wellington on the following occasions:

1. the opening of Parliament by the Sovereign or the Governor-General:
2. the State Farewell for the outgoing Governor-General:
3. the Swearing-in-Ceremony of the Governor-General designate.

5. Occasions for Mourning

The New Zealand Flag must, subject to clauses 6 and 7, be flown at half mast,—

1. in the case of the death of the Sovereign, from the announcement of the death up to and including the day of the funeral (except on Proclamation Day being the day when the new Sovereign is announced officially, when flags are to be flown from the top of the mast):
2. in the case of the death of the Governor-General or a former Governor-General or the Prime Minister or a former Prime Minister, on the day of the announcement of death and the day of the funeral:
3. in the case of the death of any member of the Royal Family (other than the Sovereign), on the day of the funeral:
4. on the day of the funeral, in the case of the death of—
1. the Governor-General of any Commonwealth country (other than New Zealand); or
2. the Prime Minister of any Commonwealth country (other than New Zealand); or
3. the head of State of any Commonwealth country (other than New Zealand); or
4. the head of State of any foreign country.

Times and exceptions

6. Times for Flying New Zealand Flag

(1) Where—

1. the New Zealand Flag is required to be flown on any Government building on any day or part of a day; or
2. the New Zealand Flag is flown on any Government building on any other day or part of a day,—

it must, subject to subclause (2), be flown continuously throughout that day or part of a day.

(2) The New Zealand Flag must not be flown at night on any Government building unless the New Zealand Flag is floodlit.

7. Exceptions

Nothing in this notice requires the New Zealand Flag to be flown on any Government building on any day, being a Saturday or a Sunday or a holiday, that is not a normal working day for the persons employed in that building.

Rule of etiquette

8. Rule of Etiquette in Relation to the Position of New Zealand Flag

Where a local authority flag or a house flag is flown in the half-mast position, the New Zealand Flag should be flown separately at full mast.

Revocation

9. Revocation

The New Zealand Flag Notice 1986 (SR 1986/133) is revoked.

Dated at Wellington this 18th day of February 2024.

Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.