[1] It has a cornucopia in the top left canton representative Auckland's wealth, a pick and shovel in the top right canton to represent the areas mining past and a horizontal stripe underneath with a sailing ship.

When Auckland's town clerk, Tom Ashby was visiting London in the early 1950s he discussed the question of a city flag with one of the four pursuivants of the College of Arms.

After returning, he sent Charles St Clair, 17th Lord Sinclair, the Portcullis Pursuivant, a sketch of the proposed flag containing the complete coat of arms of the city council which was rejected.

Sinclair replied in 1952 stating "A flag of this sort should not contain the complete Achievement; That is, it should not contain the Crest, Supporters and Motto.

As early as 1955 difficulty had been experienced in getting a flag woven locally at the required three-yard size to make the heraldic symbols visible from the street.