PM cautions Harawira against flogging the flag

Hone Harawira has since abandoned his part in the plans for redesigning the flag and rejected claims he wanted to benefit personally. Photo / Richard Robinson

Prime Minister John Key has cautioned Maori MP Hone Harawira about trying to benefit financially from the Maori flag, saying it was chosen to celebrate unity, not to raise funds for the controversial MP's family.

Tomorrow the flag will fly alongside the New Zealand flag from the Auckland Harbour Bridge and public buildings - including the Beehive, Parliament's forecourt, Government House and Premier House - for the first time to mark Waitangi Day.

While Mr Harawira had driven the process to choose the flag, TVNZ revealed this week he had planned to copyright it and set up a trust with his wife and the sole surviving designer, Linda Munn, to collect royalties.

Mr Harawira has since abandoned his part in the plans and rejected claims he wanted to benefit personally. He said he had realised it was a conflict of interest and "not a good look", but said the proceeds were to be for the designers' families.

Mr Key said he understood Mr Harawira had not intended to benefit from it personally and his legal advice was that the Harawira family could not copyright it in any case.

However, he said it would be "utterly wrong" for any of the Harawira family to make money from the flag.

"He has to be very careful there there is no perception of a conflict of interest or perception he is feathering his own nest. New Zealanders have no appetite for that and rightfully so."

Mr Key said Mr Harawira had been deeply involved in the process of choosing the flag and there was a clear conflict of interest.

"This is a flag we are flying on Waitangi Day to celebrate unity and partnership between Maori and the Crown, not for the Harawiras to make money from it."

He said he hoped the issue would not harm perceptions of the flag.

The Waitangi National Trust has decided not to fly the flag on Treaty Grounds - a decision Mr Key said did not surprise him. The New Zealand flag, the White Ensign and the 1834 United Tribes flag were usually the only ones flown.

"There was always going to be a bit of controversy about it, but its intent when it was designed was about a positive future. The flag isn't being forced on anyone, and nor should it be. It's a symbolic statement of a time when Maori and the Crown came together in 1840."

Pita Paraone, the chairman of the Waitangi National Trust, said while the flag would not fly on the Treaty Grounds flagpole this year, the board would assess its future policy at a meeting late this month.

Part of its reluctance to fly the flag was because of objections to it on the lower marae, Te Tii Marae. Elder Kingi Taurua said he did not want it to fly at the marae.

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin had also objected, saying it was a "hate flag" and would serve only as a beacon for Maori with "a chip on their shoulders".

Mr Paraone said the trust board members wanted more time to consider the issue.

Maori flag advocacy group Te Ata Tino Toa yesterday encouraged other groups to fly the flag, noting it was now so mainstream it was even for sale at $2 shops.

Mr Key will be welcomed on to Te Tii Marae this morning, as will the Maori Party MPs. Labour leader Phil Goff and his MPs and the Green Party contingent are expected to be welcomed on soon afterward.

Mr Key and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples will then attend an Iwi Leaders Forum meeting in nearby Haruru Falls.

HOW TO FLY FLAG

* On a row of flagpoles, the New Zealand flag should be the furthest left as seen by an observer looking towards the building the flags are flying in front of.
* If both are on a single flagpole, the New Zealand flag should be above the Maori flag.
* Make sure it's up the right way - black at the top.

Protocol from Ministry of Culture and Heritage.