KEY POINTS:
Overtures about flying a Kingitanga ensign at Manukau City Council have been rebuffed by the Maori King Movement, but whether the flag will be seen remains up in the air.
The council is one of the few in the country to debate whether flags other than the national or city emblem can be flown. The debate was opened up when advocate group Te Ata Tino Toa asked that the black, white and red tino rangatiratanga standard share space in the leadup to Waitangi Day.
The issue has led to heated debate between factions of councillors who in March accused one another of either racism or wasting time and money.
In a report to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi committee, which is due to meet this week to discuss an overarching policy, council officer Moana Herewini does not specifically mention the tino rangatiratanga flag, but cautions against ensigns which "ultimately" represent specific groups with ideologies which may not be shared by all sectors of the city.
"If the council is to represent all peoples within its community, the perception of neutrality and objectivity needs to be preserved and protected."
The report also noted that Kingitanga spokesman John Haunui had said although the movement appreciated the sentiment behind the idea, unless the late Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu had specifically given the flag to a body it could not fly it.
