Issue 89 - editorial

Flagging the changes

The Minister of Maori Affairs has launched a series of consultation hui to try and find a flag Maori would be happy to see flying on the Auckland harbour bridge next Waitangi day. On the surface that’s all it would do.

But surely there can only be a few people who don’t expect that the flag chosen will become the Maori flag, and it will be expected to fly on other important days over other major and government structures.

People who attend the hui are being asked to choose from one of four flags – although I think you can put the ring around the possibility that some other contenders will be suggested. The four are: The existing New Zealand flag; what is sometimes referred to as the country’s first flag – the flag of the United Tribes - which was adopted by 25 rangatira at a hui in Taitokerau in 1834; the New Zealand Red Ensign – a flag which some iwi have adopted and placed their names in white across the red at the bottom of the flag and finally what should correctly be called the Maori flag but which is more often referred to as the Tino Rangatiratanga flag.

I’m picking it’ll be the last one. The flag of the United Tribes –now called the flag of the Independent Tribes – will no doubt have significant support especially in the north. But in the end it was designed by the British and still has British symbols which Maori have been progressively moving away from.

On the other hand as we reported in Mana 86 – the Maori flag is entirely of this country. It was designed by three Maori women one of whom, Linda Munn, is still alive and lives in Tauranga. Linda modestly says that while it would be ‘cool’ if the flag she helped create were the chosen one to fly next Waitangi Day, she doesn’t mind if it is the flag of the United Tribes, as long as there is a flag to symbolise Maori.

Not surprisingly there are critics of the process and the desire to choose a national Maori flag, with some adamantly proclaiming that there is only ‘one’ New Zealand flag. They could be right – but I’m picking for not too much longer.

I’ve seen a lot of changes in my 60 plus years – not as many as I would like – but still a few.

Remember the row when Hinewehi Mohi sang the Maori words to our national song at a rugby test? Remember the row that surrounded the development of Maori television? The brouhaha around the formation of a Maori Party?

Time has moved on and so have the critics. I’m picking that before too long we will start having discussions about the name of our country and the flag that we stand under – the discussions should be long and meaningful.

I have a couple of Pakeha mates I have coffee with in Auckland from time to time. When the flag debate came up they said they wouldn’t mind standing under the Maori flag - you see they no longer think of themselves as British people in the South Pacific.

Kia ora