Half-mast in New Zealand – position, procedure and occasions

A flag at half-mast is the most visible sign of national mourning in New Zealand. The occasions for government buildings are set in the New Zealand Flag Notice 2024, and Manatū Taonga – Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) describes the procedure and issues a directive each time the flag is to be lowered. Private flag owners are not bound by these directives, but many follow them.

How far down

According to MCH, the half-mast position depends on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The rule of thumb is that the flag is lowered to a position more than its own depth from the top of the flagpole, so that it does not look as though it has accidentally fallen down. A flag 900 mm high, for example, has its top edge more than 900 mm below the top of the pole.

The procedure

MCH describes the following sequence:

1. The flag is raised to the top of the mast.
2. It is then slowly lowered to the half-mast position.
3. While it is at half-mast, no other flag is flown above it.
4. At the end of the day, the flag is raised to the top again before it is lowered for the day.

Who issues directives

The flying of the flag at half-mast is covered by section 10 of the Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 and the Flag Notice 2024. According to MCH, the directive to lower flags on government buildings is generally issued on the direction of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and the Minister and the Prime Minister keep the discretion to direct half-masting on non-standard occasions of mourning of particular significance. MCH lets subscribed individuals and organisations know by email whenever the flag is to be half-masted.

Government buildings are required to follow the directives. Local government, schools, private entities and private individuals can follow them, but are not required to, according to MCH.

When the flag flies at half-mast

Clause 5 of the Flag Notice 2024 lists the occasions:

MCH adds that half-masting for a member of the Royal Family is subject to special command from the Sovereign or the Governor-General. Other occasions, such as the deaths of members of Parliament and police officers killed in the line of duty, or the anniversaries of national tragedies, have been marked by directives of their own; examples are in the guide to flags in mourning.

Anzac Day

On Anzac Day, 25 April, the flag flies at full mast. According to the Flag Notice and MCH, it is appropriate to lower it to half-mast for the duration of a memorial service at places where commemorative services are held. More in the guide to flag days.

Local flags and house flags

According to MCH, local authorities can fly their local flag at half-mast after the death of a prominent local citizen, appropriately on the day or part of the day of the funeral, and the same etiquette applies to the house flag of a company or organisation. In these cases, the New Zealand flag remains at full mast; clause 8 of the Flag Notice states that it is then flown separately at full mast. Council guidelines, such as those of Whanganui District Council, follow this practice.

Half-mast on a private flagpole

On poles with an external or internal halyard, the flag can be held at any height. On a flag that is fixed to a short staff, such as some wall-mounted staffs, it cannot be lowered. How halyards work is explained in the guide to how a flagpole works.