KEY POINTS:
A respected Aboriginal leader has added to growing criticism of Transit's decision to stop the Maori flag from flying atop the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.
A former Australian commissioner for Indigenous Affairs and a Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation member, Kerry Blackman, said he was surprised Maori were not afforded the same rights as Aboriginals.
"They must let the flag fly. The Aboriginal flag is flown on local government buildings and federal Government buildings at certain times of the year.
"It has become an acceptable symbol for Aborigines. I am surprised there is not the same recognition for Maori in New Zealand."
Mr Blackman will lead a delegation of Aboriginal leaders visiting Waitangi celebrations next week. The group, being hosted by Labour MP Shane Jones, will also visit iwi businesses in Northland and Waikato.
His call follows a growing chorus of outrage from Maori, angered at Government policy that allows only recognised countries to fly their flags from the harbour bridge.
The controversy was sparked after Transit denied a request from Ata Tino Toa, a Maori sovereignty group, to fly the distinctive red, black and white flag on the country's national day.
Group spokesman Teanau Tuiono said the decision was a disgrace and pointed to the Australian Government's position as an example of what should occur.
"The Aboriginal flag has been recognised in Australian law for 10 years. It flew on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Reconciliation Day in 2000."
Transit said the decision was guided by Government policy set in place in 2003.
The decision has also been criticised by the head of Auckland hapu Ngati Whatua, with chairman Grant Hawke calling for an attitude change.
"If we are prepared to fly other countries' flags, then there must be a time when we fly the Maori flag. Waitangi is one of those days."
Mr Hawke said March 24 was the day Ngati Whatua signed the treaty, so it would be another significant day for the flag to fly in Auckland.
"It is not a matter of forcing the issue, it is a matter of changing attitudes to those where people acknowledge issues that are important to Maori."
Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard yesterday side-stepped the issue. He said as it was not his decision to make, it was not appropriate to comment.
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said this week the Government was prepared to discuss the issue but no changes would occur in time for Waitangi Day.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said on Wednesday New Zealand needed to grow up and allow use of the flag. She also pointed to the example of Aboriginal people who were able to use their flag in Australia.
Broadcaster and Ngapuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua said a meeting was being held today to nut out a response. He repeated a call that the flag would be flown from the bridge with or without official backing.
Labour Party president Mike Williams, who is on the Transit board, said the official stance was a good one.
"No, I don't think it should be flown, it is not an official flag of any nation. It would set a precedent that would be difficult to manage."
Tainui chairman Tuku Morgan said the flag was an expression of Maoridom's desire for greater recognition and a better way of life in this country.
THE MAORI FLAG
* Also known as the Maori independence or tino rangatiratanga flag.
* Designed in 1990 by Hiraina Marsden, Jan Smith and Linda Munn, winning a national contest to find a Maori flag.
* Initially symbolising Maori self-determination, the flag has grown as a symbol of Maori unity and is also a banner for the Maori Party.
THE SYMBOLOGY OF THE FLAG
* Black represents Te Korekore (the realm of potential being) and the long darkness from which the earth emerged.
* Red represents Te Whei Ao (coming into being). It symbolises Papatuanuku, the earth-mother, the sustainer of all living things.
* White represents Te Ao Marama (the realm of being and light). It symbolises the physical world, purity, harmony, enlightenment and balance.
* The spiral-like koru, symbolic of a curling fern frond, represents the unfolding of new life, hope for the future and the process of renewal.
Flag information source: www.nzhistory.net.nz
UNITED TRIBES OF NZ BANNER
* While representative flags have been developed for tribal and hapu and religious groups, there have been few examples of flags representative of Maori as a whole.
* The flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand was the first such attempt, created in 1834. Its primary purpose was to protect New Zealand-based ships, which up until then could be seized for sailing without a flag or register; a breach of British navigation laws.
* New Zealand then was not yet a British colony, so locally-built ships could not sail under a British flag.
* In 1835, the flag was adopted as the country's flag by the mainly northern chiefs who signed the Declaration of Independence.
* Although purporting to be a national flag, it was of main significance to Northland Maori.
* However, the flag was replaced by the Union Jack after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840.
