Let the sovereignty flag fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, says Tariana Turia. Photo / Supplied
The Maori Party say it is time New Zealand "grew up" and allowed Maori to fly sovereignty flags on Waitangi Day.
The party is unimpressed that a request by a Maori sovereignty group to fly the Maori independence flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day was
rejected by Transit.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the flag should be allowed.
"I thought the flag story was really interesting given that Australia accepts the Aboriginal flag and the rangatiratanga flag will be flying on St Monica's beach over in America on Waitangi Day," she said.
"It's time New Zealand grew up and accepted the Maori nations and that they should be able to have their own independent flag in the same way that Aboriginals do."
The group, Ata Tino Toa, lodged a request with Transit last week seeking permission to fly the distinctive red black and white tino rangatiratanga flag from the Auckland landmark.
It argued that flags for other countries were flown on national days but Transit said the flag did not represent a recognised country.
Ata Tino Toa spokesman Teanau Tuiono said Transit's decision was a disgrace and the group was considering a protest.
"Transit have allowed corporates to fly their flags, a right they will not extend to the indigenous people of this country."
Hone Harawira, a Maori Party MP and long-time protester at Waitangi, said he would attend events at Waitangi to reaffirm the party's opposition to a bill deleting references to the Treaty of Waitangi and another to instigate a New Zealand Day.
United Future leader Peter Dunne has twice introduced bills to Parliament seeking a New Zealand Day holiday because he thinks Waitangi Day is divisive.
"We will also be making our position plane on Peter Dunne's New Zealand Day proposal. As far as we are concerned Waitangi Day is the national day of this country," Mr Harawira said.
He said he would use the platform to push for constitutional recognition or entrenchment of the Treaty.
- NZPA
