Flag marked Austria national day

Austria's national day was observed by the flying of that country's flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday. After World War II Austria was occupied by the four Allied powers, France, United States, Soviet Union and Great Britain. The last foreign troops left on October 25, 1955, and so October 26 commemorates the first day of Austria's Second Republic, as again an independent state.

Transit NZ decides which flags may fly on the bridge. It considers requests from consulates, high commissions and official representatives of countries, and offers advice on the flag's making.

Not just national days have been marked. The Italian flag flew for Prada's challenge for the America's Cup in 2000, and the Swiss flag for Alinghi's success in 2003.

Flags will mark the national days of Turkey (October 29), Panama (November 3), Monaco (November 19) and Finland (December 6).