How many stars are there on the flag of New Zealand?

Well in New Zealand we only acknowledge 4 stars on our flag.

If the flag is to represent the Southern Cross, then there can't be 8 stars. It is common logic regardless of what you think you can see!

Vince Savage, No- the stars are outlined in white: only four stars.

Why don't you all compromise and call it 6?

Red stars on top of white stars= 8 stars

Vince Savage, with you on this one. What New Zealanders acknowledge is moot.

I see four red stars within 4 white stars too.

There are only four stars, albeit they are stylized, on NZ's flag... not eight, as some have said.

Blairly21, There are four red stars each with a white border put there to enhance the contrast against the dark blue background. The four stars have been accepted as a representation of the Southern Cross since the 16th Century. Any Kiwi knows this. Ask them. Wiki has led everyone astray. It happens with Wiki. Try Britannica. The answer is four. You can take it to the bank.

Leapy Lee, you are absolutely correct. Four is the answer and Wiki is wrong. Don’t any of these “Eighters” know how to do research? Ask any Kiwi!

Cheryl Perkins, you only acknowledge four stars because there are only four stars and for good reason. No kiwi has joined the absurd rush to claim eight nor is the eight claim backed by any reliable source. They are all relying on Wiki which is frequently wrong as in this case. New Zealanders should know...and DO!

Vince Savage, Vince, it might help to check what the Kiwi and the New Zealanders have to say. They all say 4 stars by the was as do every source other than Wiki. Jarrah has been right from the beginning. The 4 red stars simply have a white border to make them stand out against the dark blue background. It’s no more complicated than that. Wiki has it wrong. See if you can get a New Zealander to agree with you. Good luck.

Vince Savage, We both have been. I hate when they don’t check/proof the submission properly.

Vince Savage, Guys, do some research at some legitimate site other than Wiki. Try Brittanica. The answer is four. The four stars have been the internationally accepted symbol of the Southern Cross since the 16th Century. The stars on the flag represent The Southern Cross. That is not debatable. The flag was officially accepted by New Zealand in 1902 and the four red stars are red as representing the Maori but there are four representing the symbol of the Southern Cross. The white border is simply that...a border. It makes the red stars stand out against the blue background. The border was never intended to double the number of stars from four to eight. Any source that says or implies that the flag has eight stars has it wrong. Check with any New Zealander.

Blairly21, I did and there are clearly four!