Flag of Auckland City

When Auckland's town clerk, Tom Ashby was visiting London in the early 1950s he discussed the question of a city flag with one of the four pursuivants of the College of Arms. After returning, he sent Charles St Clair, 17th Lord Sinclair, the Portcullis Pursuivant, a sketch of the proposed flag containing the complete coat of arms of the city council which was rejected. Sinclair replied in 1952 stating "A flag of this sort should not contain the complete Achievement; That is, it should not contain the Crest, Supporters and Motto. The Arms alone should be shown and should fill the complete flag." The flag was then adopted but used seldomly, such as on the mayoral car for use in official functions. The Auckland City Council actually did not possess a full flag until January 1980 when Councillor Trevor Rogers donated one to the city to coincide with its hosting of the New Zealand Summer Games. As early as 1955 difficulty had been experienced in getting a flag woven locally at the required three-yard size to make the heraldic symbols visible from the street.[1]