'Maori' flag will gain meaning in time, says Key

The Tino Rangatiratanga flag is controversial among Maori. Photo / Dean Purcell

Prime Minister John Key was pushed into mustering up stronger arguments for the Tino Rangatiratanga flag to be flown on Waitangi Day after criticism of the choice from several Maori leaders.

Yesterday Labour MP Shane Jones hardened his criticism of the 'Maori flag' saying he did not believe it should be flown and instead calling for a new New Zealand flag to be designed. Iwi leaders in Northland voiced similar concerns yesterday.

Mr Jones said the flag would have no official status on Waitangi Day and he did not believe it was a Maori flag - it was "Hone's flag" chosen because it was the banner the Maori Party had campaigned under.

"I don't like the notion that that flag is going to be the 'Maori flag' on the Harbour Bridge or, for that matter, on Government House. I don't agree with that."

Mr Key yesterday said he knew the flag would 'challenge' some, but he believed that would change over time. He pointed out that Naida Glavish was once sacked for answering the phone with "kia ora" whereas now it was a common greeting. He said criticism was not confined to the Maori flag, there had been movements to change the New Zealand flag in the past as well.

"But I think over time, when people look back and the flag has flown off the Harbour Bridge, it will have a different meaning for them and it will be a positive meaning."

Labour's leader Phil Goff took a more indifferent line than his MP Mr Jones, saying he did not object to the flag but believed it was not among the most important issues Maori faced.

Asked about Mr Jones' different views, he said Mr Jones was speaking as a Northland-based MP.

He himself did not attach any particular meaning to the flag, but it did have associations with tino rangatiratanga.

"Our position is not to support separatism in New Zealand or Maori sovereignty in New Zealand. If it's an expression of Maori pride and Maori culture, fine, most New Zealanders would live with that. But different people put different interpretations on it."

National MP Tau Henare had dismissed the suggestion as a publicity stunt when Dr Sharples had first asked for it in January and doubted whether the Tino Rangatiratanga flag was appropriate.

Yesterday he was more reluctant to comment beyond saying he supported the PM's decisions.

"If he says it's ok, sweet, he's the boss."

When pressed further about his own views of the flag, he said the Confederation of Chiefs flag had more history, "but the Prime Minister says he's happy with it and I'm relaxed about it."

"To a lot of Maori it will give them a bit of a boost, spiritually. It says hey, we're being recognised and I think that's a good thing."

Mr Key said Cabinet had agreed to it following a "calm discussion" that lasted about five minutes.

However, while all Cabinet ministers spoken to publicly agreed with the Prime Minister's decision to allow the flag to be flown, they were more reluctant to commit to flying it at their own offices.

Finance Minister Bill English said it was symbol of unity and showed progress in race relations. However, he would not fly one at his office or home.

"The New Zealand flag is the New Zealand flag and always will be."

Gerry Brownlee also said he would not personally fly the flag because the New Zealand flag was the one he most identified with "but I don't have any objections to others using it as part of their way of celebrating the day".

Paula Bennett said she did not have a flagpole "but I've got time to get one. "It's the one Maori chose and that's fine by me."

Georgina te Heuheu tried to avoid questions on it, saying only that her marae flew its own flag.

Others - including Judith Collins - sidestepped the question by saying they had no flagpoles.