KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand flag will be the only flag allowed to fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Transit New Zealand has decided.
Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said the new policy would be implemented from June 1.
"The Transit board appreciates the interest many people have in what flag is flying on the bridge on any given day.
"However, our focus needs to be about the safe and efficient operation of the state highway network," he said.
Transit reviewed its flag flying policy amidst controversy that it allowed the European Union flag to be flown on the bridge earlier this month in recognition of Europe Day, when it had not allowed the Maori sovereignty flag to be flown on the bridge on Waitangi Day.
Transit later admitted it should not have allowed the EU flag to be flown because it was not a country.
Mr van Barneveld said Transit simplified its policy, in consultation with the Minister of Transport, to avoid issues that are unrelated to its core business of building and operating the state highway network.
Transit's new policy would be: "The New Zealand flag will be the sole flag flown on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
"It will be flown on both flagpoles and will fly at half-mast on occasions of national mourning as directed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage."
But co-leader of the Maori Party Dr Pita Sharples urged Transit to reconsider its decision.
He said it was only reasonable that the Maori flag should be flown with the New Zealand flag on Waitangi Day to signify the mutual respect accorded to the Treaty partners.
"Instead of focusing on that issue - addressing Treaty responsibilities and acknowledging the tangata whenua of this country - Transit New Zealand appears to have thrown its hands up in horror, and got rid of all the flags of other countries as well."
Flag bearing should be a "wondrous occasion" and New Zealand should be as inclusive as possible, Dr Sharples said.
- NZPA
