Phoebe Falconer: Merchant Navy Red Ensign was flown

File photo / Paul Estcourt

What was the flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge a week or so ago? There is so seldom an extra flag there, and I thought it was no longer permitted.

Bert Robinson, North Shore.

The Merchant Navy Red Ensign was, for the first time, flown from the harbour bridge alongside the national flag on Wednesday, September 3, to commemorate the role of the Merchant Navy in wartime. September 3 is known as Merchant Navy Day and recognises the contribution and sacrifice made during wartime by the crews of merchant ships.

"The Merchant Navy played a critical role during wartime transporting troops, military equipment and vital cargo around the world under the constant threat of enemy raids, and flying the New Zealand Red Ensign from the harbour bridge would further recognise the contribution made by this remarkable group of people," said New Zealand Transport Agency Auckland regional director Ernst Zollner.

The ensign has been flown on all New Zealand Merchant Navy ships since 1901. It is also flown on pleasure boats. It is identical in design to the national flag but the background is red instead of blue. New Zealand's national flag is normally flown from both flagstaffs on the harbour bridge every day. Two exceptions have been Waitangi Day, when the Tino Rangatiratanga flag is also flown, and Anzac Day, when the Australian flag is raised. The Merchant Navy ensign will fly every September 3.

What is the construction under the Ellerslie Main Highway bridge? It's between the railway and the motorway and can easily be seen on the motorway as you travel north. Brett Newling, Auckland.

Work on the bridge is part of a $15 million New Zealand Transport Agency project to improve safety and help ease congestion on the Southern Motorway. The agency has constructed a new pier to support the bridge, and will soon start demolishing two old ones closer to the motorway so it has room to build an additional auxiliary lane to be used by northbound traffic driving directly between the Ellerslie and Greenlane interchanges. It is one of the busiest sections of the Auckland motorway network. Construction of the lane will start in the next few months and the project will take about 16 months to complete. The auxiliary lane will be similar to the one the agency has constructed for southbound traffic between Market Rd and Greenlane.