Niue's "Yellow Ensign" flag, adopted in 1975, represents the bright sunshine of Niue and "the warm feelings of the Niuean people towards New Zealand and her people". The Union Flag in the canton recalls that Niue became a British Protectorate in 1900. The four small stars represent the Southern Cross and New Zealand. The larger star on the blue disc symbolises the self-governing status of Niue, "standing alone within the deep blue sea".