12 Jun 2015

Calls for Māori flag to have equal status

7:14 pm on 12 June 2015

A sovereignty group is calling for the Māori flag to be given the same status as the New Zealand flag.

New Zealand and Maori flag flying in Wellington.

Te Ata Tino Toa says the Māori flag and the New Zealand flag should be equal. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Te Ata Tino Toa presented the policy at a flag consultation workshop in Wellington on Thursday.

The group's chair said at the moment the Tino Rangatiratanga flag can only be flown by the Government on certain days, such as Waitangi Day, but that needs to change.

Te Ao Pritchard said the organisation's policy was based on the partnership principles in the Treaty of Waitangi and would make both flags equal all of the time.

She said people would have the option to fly both flags or whichever one they prefer.

"This two flag policy acknowledges, and gives recognition to, both flags and gives people the option to fly both, or one or the other.

"So the new flag that will be chosen by the New Zealand people can fly alongside the Māori flag as well," she said.

Ms Pritchard said that would give the Māori flag more mana and the recognition it deserved.

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