Fly other nations' flags on bridge, mayor urges

Andrew Williams. Photo / Steven McNicholl

The Auckland Harbour Bridge should fly the flags of all countries represented in Auckland on their national celebration days, says North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams.

A ban on all but the New Zealand flag on the bridge's two flagpoles was imposed three years ago after a row over whether the Maori sovereignty flag should fly over the bridge on Waitangi Day.

But the Transport Agency raised the Maori flag this year at the request of Prime Minister John Key and on Anzac Day the Australian flag was hauled up to fly alongside the New Zealand flag.

Mr Williams, who in standing as a mayoral candidate for the Super City, said Auckland was a multicultural city and should aspire to be the hub of the South Pacific.

"I want people of all ethnic groups to feel welcome and included," he said.

"Reinstating the worthy custom of flying flags would make sure all the people are honoured on their national days."

The flags of countries that had official representation in Auckland would be flown.

About 38 countries have consulates or high commissions in the city and Aucklanders come from 170 cultures.

Before being elected mayor in 2007, Mr Williams was trade commissioner for Belgium and Luxembourg for nine years.

In addition to the mayoralty, he is standing for the Albany ward of the Auckland Council.

Fellow candidates yesterday gave a mixed reception to his flag flying idea.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said: This Government has made the call that we are not going to keep running different flags up the flagpole on the Auckland Harbour Bridge every day.

"This is because the focus of the NZ Transport Agency is on highway infrastructure and managing traffic flows on the bridge.

"As a result, the bridge proudly displays the two New Zealand flags nearly every day."

Exceptions to the rule were to commemorate Anzac Day and Waitangi Day. In 2006, flags flown for national days included those of Wales, Estonia, Lithuania and Sri Lanka.

The agency reported various difficulties associated with the flying of 50 to 60 flags on national days in a year.

Every fourth or fifth day, agency contractors had to usher overseas diplomats over the bridge for official photographs, after ensuring they were dressed appropriately and that cameras did not fall on vehicles and cause traffic chaos. Overseas diplomatic missions supplied their own flags.

Hibiscus and East Coast Bays Local Board candidate Toby Hutton said the bridge was "the nation's most prominent flagpole" and he supported hosting other flags if the Prime Minister wanted to acknowledge those countries.

Of the council candidates for Albany, John Kirikiri said he agreed with the sentiment behind Mr Williams' idea while Ross Craig said he was happy if just two New Zealand flags flew each day, except for special events like the America's Cup.

Uzra Balouch said she was not in favour, "because we have come here to be New Zealanders and the New Zealand flag is the unifying flag for all".

Alan McCulloch said he would not object if the bridge showed the flags of all nations at the Rugby World Cup.