Maori flag gets the thumbs up from John Key

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Mon, 23 Nov 2009 6:18p.m.

The Maori flag

The Maori flag

By Scott Campbell

The Maori flag, normally used in protest, will fly alongside the New Zealand flag next year on Waitangi Day – and it may even fly over the Prime Minister's official residence.

It is a symbol of Maori rights protest, often leading hikoi, but the Maori flag, or tino rangatiratanga flag, is set to fly alongside the New Zealand flag over the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.

"I've seen a recommendation from the Maori Party, and from the co-leader," says John Key. "I've got my own views and I'm comfortable with the recommendation that he's made."

After months of consultation and a choice of four flags, 3 News understands the Maori flag has an almost 80 percent approval rating.

But Mr Key wants to go further than just the bridge. He says he will raise it at his official residence and urge other Government buildings to do so as well.

"My expectation would be it would fly in 2010, and as I've said, my intention is to fly the flag at Premier House," says Mr Key.

Mr Key will take the recommendation to Cabinet to be signed off, and it may take a directive for the flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Transit NZ changed its policy in 2008 to only allow the New Zealand flag to fly above the landmark.

The official sign-off could be another month away, but the deal looks done. 3 News understands an announcement could have been made earlier, but officials needed to check that there were enough flags made to fly on official buildings.

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Comments

04 Dec 2009 01:46p.m.

Jackle wrote:

missilepu, please explain what you mean by "we can only hope tht the past wrongs can be made right again " how many times do wrongs have to be made right, this is the very issue that is destroying this countries economy and dividing the population..

30 Nov 2009 11:24a.m.

Jan.. wrote:

I think you are the one with the problem Graig there is nothing wrong with my comment, are you jealous or are you the hatred of all Maori people and there flag, are you blind,get real matey..

29 Nov 2009 10:40p.m.

Wayne Mason wrote:

Another one term Prime Minister . He's lost my vote.

29 Nov 2009 02:12p.m.

Graig wrote:

missilepu you are an uneducated fool.

29 Nov 2009 03:03a.m.

Jan.. wrote:

Fly the Maori flag next to NZ flag everwhere in the country, Maori flag has the right and I do love the Maori flag knowing this is Maori country..

28 Nov 2009 05:08p.m.

Mark wrote:

John Key should make better, more informed choices. That flag does not represent all Maori. I am part Maori and my view of the so called Maori flag is that it is a contrivance, borne of a narcissistic Iwi and nothing more than a bone of contention. Get rid of it! and anyway, who needs a king!

27 Nov 2009 09:53a.m.

Alien wrote:

Dan, this one people is bs. We are a nation of many people, many cultures, and we should embrace and celebrate all of those people, cultures. One people is just a racist way to ignore that.

26 Nov 2009 01:52a.m.

missilepu wrote:

I think it's awesome. Two flags, standing side by side. That's how it was always suppose to be, a partnership. People did fight in the war, both Maori and Pakeha. Maori in the front lines, and Pakeha following through after. We fought together. The confused Donnas have my pity. You probably are unable to accept or be accepted by Pakeha or Maori. Hence the reason for your sitting on the fence stance and calling yourself a Kiwi, as do the whites of America call themselves Americans or the blacks call themselves Americans, because they can't identify to an ethnicity or tribal group, and the Ozzy's do the same, because they don't feel like they're Irish, or English. Annon you are right Maori are the driving force on the 6pm news and we dont often hear about the beautiful positive that many Maori across the country are doing after generations of inequality - we can only hope tht the past wrongs can be made right again but it will be a very long road ahead.

25 Nov 2009 02:16p.m.

A Confused Donna wrote:

Our country has finally divided, two flags, two national anthems, two different rules for two different cultures.

I am part Maori and part European, I grew up being very proud of both my Maori and European heritage and family history, but always thought myself as a Kiwi, not Pakeha or Maori, a Kiwi, a child of New Zealand proud to be a part of both cultures.
Now I feel divided and confused, do I pursue the many extra benefits I am now entitled to being Maori, or live how I have always lived and stay with what all other Kiwis don't get.
Do I fly the Maori flag or the flag my Grandad fought for in the war, in a cause to save us all?

24 Nov 2009 11:52p.m.

Jan.. wrote:

I have always been proud of our pacific nation until all these unexpected changes,death multible in our country, our people used to die of an old and no murder or suicidal to killing of the innocense and prisoners were treated fairy and when released they were still in a normality condition..
What are you trying to tell us country folks, shame,shame on you..