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    Australia vs New Zealand: two Union Jack ensigns

    Short answer:Count the stars. Australia has six white stars, including a large seven-pointed star below the Union Flag. New Zealand has four red stars with white outlines and nothing in that lower corner.

    Both flags have blue fields, with the Union Flag in the upper flagpole corner and the Southern Cross on the outer half. Star count and colour separate them.

    Side by side

    Flag of Australia

    Australia

    Six white stars, including a large one under the Union Flag

    • The large Commonwealth Star has seven points, for the states and the territories.
    • The Southern Cross is shown with five stars; four have seven points and the small one has five.
    • Ratio 1:2.
    Full Australia flag page →
    Flag of New Zealand

    New Zealand

    Four red stars with white borders, nothing under the Union Flag

    • Each of the four stars has five points.
    • The fifth, faintest star of the Southern Cross is omitted.
    • Ratio 1:2.
    Full New Zealand flag page →

    How to tell them apart, in order

    1. 1.Look immediately below the Union Flag: a large white star there means Australia.
    2. 2.Check star colour. Red stars with white borders mean New Zealand; all-white stars mean Australia.
    3. 3.Count the Southern Cross stars: five for Australia, four for New Zealand.

    Worth knowing

    Other blue ensigns with southern-hemisphere stars exist, including Fiji, Tuvalu and several Australian state flags, so check for additional emblems before concluding.

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