History of Oceania

Why does Australia and new zealand have a small union flag on them?

The Union Jack is a part of the flags of Australia and New Zealand because both countries were once part of the British Empire. The Union Jack is a combination of the flags of England and Scotland, and was first used in 1606. The flag of Australia was adopted in 1901, and features the Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner. The flag of New Zealand was adopted in 1902, and features the Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner, as well as the Southern Cross constellation in the lower right-hand corner.