The council said the flag was raised to mark AmeriCARna, an annual event that celebrates Americancar culture, and was not intended to make a political statement.
The event is not run by the council but has been a part of the Taranaki social calendar for almost 20 years, drawing large crowds and visitors from outside the region.
Members of the public took to social media to voice their disapproval of the “disgusting” choice.
One commenter wrote that she had “no problem with the flag being on display in stores” but flying it at a local government building was “highly inappropriate”.
A vendor who had a stall at AmeriCARna said she chose to not decorate her cart with American flags because she wanted to “support the event without supporting the country”.
“Silence is political, turning a blind eye is political, pretending that it’s ‘just a celebration of cars’ is political,” she posted.
Protesters hold signs outside the New Plymouth District Council where the US flag was raised to celebrate the AmeriCARna car festival. Photo / The Ngāmotu Advocate
AmeriCARna ran from February 24-28. The council raised its American flag for the duration of the festival, before taking it down on Monday morning.
In response, Iran launched strikes against neighbouring countries, including the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.
US President Donald Trump has said he expects the war with Iran to last four weeks and has claimed the country’s “entire military is gone”.
“The American flag was raised ahead of the current conflict in the Middle East and was flown in acknowledgement of AmeriCARna as well as a courtesy to a representative of the American Embassy who was in the district at the time,” a spokeswoman from the council told the Herald.
“Decisions on which flags are flown at the Civic Centre sit with the district mayor of the day.”
The American flag raised outside the council buildings was first photographed by the Ngāmotu Advocate.
The Tino Rangatiratanga flag is usually flown outside the New Plymouth District Council buildings, alongside the New Zealand flag. Photo / The Ngāmotu Advocate
Mayor Max Brough told the Herald: “I understand that people hold strong views on international and political issues, and they are entitled to those views.
“However, it is a shame a long‑standing community event that brings enjoyment to many has been drawn into a political debate.”
Brough said the intention was always to take down the American flag on Monday morning but after the weekend strikes, he emailed the council’s chief executive to ensure it came down in a timely manner.
He said the flag was raised to show support for a great event and was not intended to hurt people.
