3 Feb 2010

No Maori flag at Manukau City on Waitangi Day

6:51 pm on 3 February 2010

Manukau City Council has rejected a proposal to fly a Maori flag at its offices on Waitangi Day.

The policy and activities committee met on Tuesday night to discuss the issue for the third time in two years and voted not to fly the flag on civic flagpoles.

There was no public consultation.

Councillors argued that the proposal was inconsistent with their policy on flags.

In addition, Cr Jami-Lee Ross said the flag represents division, racism and sepratism.

Adopted in June 2008, the policy allows only the New Zealand and Manukau City Council flags to fly on civic flagpoles, as well as flags belonging to sister cities or visiting overseas delegates.

In December, the Government established protocols to recognise the tino rangatiratanga flag, as the preferred national Maori flag.

Waitangi Day is on 6 February.