A Federal Flag Bill was proposed in the Cook Islands Parliament in 1892, but was not assented to. The proposed flag had consisted of three horizontal stripes (red, white, red), with a Union Flag in the top left corner, overlaid by a black coconut palm tree on a white circle.[1] When the islands were annexed by New Zealand in 1901, the New Zealand flag was used instead.[1]
In 1973 a contest was held to design a new flag, with 120 entries. The winner was chosen at a meeting of the cabinet, judging panel and the flag design committee, a green ensign with 15 gold stars in a circle. The gold was to represent the "friendliness of Cook Islanders and their hope, faith, dedication, love and happiness";[1] the circle represented "unity and strength of purpose and the moulding of 15 islands into one united people";[1] the stars were "symbols of heaven, faith in god and the power that has guided Cook Islanders throughout their history";[1] and the green background was to represent the "nation, the vitality of the land and the people of the evergreen and lasting growth of the Cook Islands".[1] The new flag was raised for the first time on 24 January 1974.[2]
In December 2023, Prime Minister Mark Brown suggested that the national flag should be changed back to the 1973–1979 version, claiming that it would be better reflective of the Cook Islands' national colours and sovereignty.[4] In January 2024, Brown further suggested that the decision on the flag could be put to a referendum.[5]