Prime Minister John Key says there is no reason why the Maori flag cannot be flown on the Auckland harbour bridge on Waitangi Day if an agreement can be reached within Maoridom.
Mr Key says he has talked with Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples about whether the Tino Rangatiratanga flag should be flown.
Mr Key says he told Dr Sharples that if he consulted widely and an agreement within Maori can be reached on the meaning of the flag, then there is no reason why it could not be flown.
However, it will not happen this Waitangi Day, on 6 February, because there is not enough time for wide consultation beforehand.
Mr Key says flying the Maori flag one day a year would be seen as a small symbolic step forward for New Zealand.
