Iron artist shows steely support for flag

The corrugated iron New Zealand flag that hangs proudly over an Auckland scout camp won't be changed - even if New Zealand decides on a new flag.

Blockhouse Bay's Motu Moana Scout Camp manager Tony Waring created a model of the current New Zealand flag out of corrugated iron, and it is displayed at the entrance to the camp.

His artwork, about a metre wide by 700mm, took 30 hours of careful cutting and four coats of paint to complete.

Mr Waring said it took a while to put together the different parts together. "The stars are quite tricky to cut as it's white on the outside and red on the inside. I had to cut two stars out and paint one red and one white and stick it all together."

He is firmly against the new flag referendum and won't be replacing his sculpture with a new flag.

"We might leave it up for the sake of history. I'm fairly confident the current flag won't be changed," he said. The new flag would be a "waste of money".

"It's what we do as a country that counts like [battling] child poverty, funding drugs for cancer patients, that are more important than a symbol."

Mr Waring is no stranger to creating art out of corrugated iron. "The ultimate piece I've made is a Tardis from Doctor Who, which is hanging on my garden wall."