The question of which Maori flag Rotorua District Council should fly at the Civic Centre on Waitangi Day has been a long-standing issue of contention which needs to be finally settled by Waitangi Day next year, says Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick.
The issue has been debated for a number of years, with some residents asking for the Tino Rangatiratanga Maori flag to be flown on Waitangi Day while others want an alternative flag flown.
"Our council previously agreed to let Te Arawa consult with their community and come back to us with their recommendation on a flag that we could fly on our council headquarters on Waitangi Day.
"My view is that Waitangi Day provides an opportunity to symbolically recognise the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the subsequent partnership between Maori and the Crown. In Rotorua that partnership has been significant and unique, with Te Arawa contributing generously to the early establishment of the town and providing large areas of land for many of the outstanding facilities we enjoy today.
"However we acknowledge that many local people feel strongly that the Tino Rangatiratanga flag is not representative of Te Arawa and we respect that view. So we're urging Te Arawa to make a concerted effort to come up with a design of their own that reflects the unique and special character of our local iwi - and to have it ready ahead of Waitangi Day next year.
