Australian Symbols booklet

The Australian Symbols booklet is an educational resource and a source of general information which presents the official symbols and emblems of the Commonwealth, state and territories of Australia.

The symbols of Norfolk Island

The flag

The Norfolk Island flag was proclaimed on 11 January 1980.

A green Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) stands between 2 vertical green bands on the flag of Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island’s towering pines were one of the main reasons for the Island’s settlement by early colonists from New South Wales (who also turned the Island into one of the cruelest jails on earth). Captain Cook had reported upon his discovery of the island in 1774 that he thought the pines could be harvested as a magnificent resource for ships’ masts, but soon discovered the wood snapped like matchsticks.

There is an abundance of mature Norfolk Island pines all over the island producing a green jewel in the glittering blue of the Pacific Ocean, to the delight of many visitors.

The white background on which the Norfolk Island pine appears symbolises peace and harmony between people and the natural world.

The colour reference is:

  • Green: PANTONE® 356.
The Norfolk Island flag.

The flag has a height-to-width ratio of 1:2.

The Coat of Arms

The Norfolk Island Coat of Arms was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980.

The shield of Norfolk Island’s Coat of Arms has 2 stars, which relate to 3 Coats of Arms: those of Captain James Cook (the Island’s European discoverer in 1774), those of New South Wales and those of Australia. These shine on either side of a Norfolk Island pine. Supporters of the shield are Britain’s lion and Australia’s kangaroo. The lion at the top of the crest holds a cup, which is from the Coat of Arms of Fletcher Christian, the leader of a group of British mutineers and Tahitians from HMS Bounty who first settled at Pitcairn Island, a British colony several thousand kilometres eastwards in the central Pacific.

In 1856, because of overpopulation, 194 Pitcairn Islanders were moved to Norfolk Island. Their descendants still live on both islands.

Motto on Arms

“Inasmuch” is the islands motto. It is a reference taken from the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament (Chapter 25:40) which has special significance for the Pitcairn Islanders: “...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my bretheren, ye have done it unto me ...“

The Norfolk Island Coat of Arms

For further information on the symbols of
Norfolk Island, please contact:

The Office of the Administrator
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +6723 22152
Email: Office.Administrator@infrastructure.gov.au