Flag taken down following MP Sue Moroney's critcism

The homeowner who was blasted by Labour MP Sue Moroney for flying the alternative flag has taken it down.

The flag outside the Waihi Beach property is no longer flying. The property owner, who asked not to be named, told the Herald the family decided to remove it after yesterday's events.

"There was definitely nothing political about our flag being up there, but we have since taken it down. We just didn't want any repercussions from somebody recognising the place. That's the main reason."

However, the woman said she considered the matter over, after taking a phone call from Ms Moroney yesterday.

"She has made a personal apology...I just said to her that I appreciated her apology and I didn't want to take it any further."

Ms Moroney also tweeted an apology to anyone who was offended by her earlier social media post, featuring a photograph of the beach house and flag, with the caption:
"Just ' is you own a flash beach house doesn't mean you get to decide our flag. #democracy #FixChildPovertyInstead"

According to Parliament's register of pecuniary interests, Ms Moroney is the join owner of a holiday home in the Coromandel. She is also the joint owner of a family home, rental property and Wellington apartment, according to the register, up to date as of January 31 last year.

Yesterday Labour leader Andrew Little said he wasn't impressed with Ms Moroney's tweet.

"I thought it was ill-judged and inappropriate, and I've told her that," Mr Little said. "It was brought to my attention this morning. I just didn't think it was a good look, and I've told her that."

Ms Moroney's tweet came after last Thursday night's preliminary results, in which 56.6 per cent voted to keep the current flag featuring Britain's Union Jack versus 43.2 per cent who favoured the alternative.

Labour was critical of the flag change process, saying it was flawed and had been politicised by Prime Minister John Key.