As a mark of mourning and respect, the New Zealand Flag is to be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings on Thursday 23 October 2025 to mark the funeral of former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jim Bolger.

This instruction applies to all Government Departments, buildings and naval vessels which have flag poles and normally fly the New Zealand Flag. The Flag should be returned to full mast at the close of business hours on 23 October 2025.

The flag is half-masted by first raising it to the top of the mast and then immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably "half-mast" to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. As a guide, the flag should be more than its own depth from the top of the flagpole.

At the end of the day, the flag should be raised again to the top of the flagpole before being fully lowered. More information about half-masting the flag is on the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage website: Display rules for the New Zealand flag (https://www.mch.govt.nz/our-work/flags-anthems-and-emblems/new-zealand-flag/display-rules-new-zealand-flag)

--SAFETY NOTICE: Red wind warnings have been issued by MetService for parts of the South Island and lower North Island from Thursday 23 October 2025. Please exercise caution when half-masting the New Zealand Flag at your building or facility tomorrow. If it is not safe to half-mast, then do not do this.

Alternatively, you may half-mast the Flag tonight before close of business hours and raise again once conditions are safe to do so. People’s health and safety are of primary importance for all locations covered by this Notice.

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