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Managers of the Auckland Harbour Bridge have knocked back a request by a Maori sovereignty group to hoist the Maori independence flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.
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 prominent Auckland landmark on February 6.
The group says the flag should be afforded the same prominence as flags of other countries, including Italy, France and Australia, which have been allowed to fly their flags on their respective national days.
Transit, however, disagreed, saying the flag did not represent a recognised country so would not be allowed to be flown from the bridge.
Transit spokeswoman Denise Beazley said the tino rangatiratanga flag would not be flown on Waitangi Day or any other day from the bridge.
"Transit New Zealand has a policy whereby we only approve the flying of flags of other countries, not associations or organisations."
She said approval applied only to countries recognised by the Government, with their flags flown on their national or independence days.
Ms Beazley said past requests had forced the Government agency to tighten the policy on who could fly flags from the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Ata Tino Toa spokesman Teanau Tuiono said Transit's decision was a disgrace.
"The Aboriginal flag has been recognised in Australian law for 10 years. It flew on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Reconciliation Day in 2000.
"Transit have allowed corporates to fly their flags, a right they will not extend to the indigenous people of this country."
Mr Tuiono said the tino rangatiratanga flag represented the promise of Maori rights guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi. "It represents the promises of the Treaty, the promises that were not met."
He said the group would meet last night to discuss action, including possible protest, in response to the decision.
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira said the decision was petty and failed to acknowledge Maori contribution on its national day.
"That flag is the Maori flag. Auckland is the biggest Polynesian city in the universe.
"I thought this was the type of pettiness that Auckland had grown out of."
