Media Release

2 February 2010

Jami-Lee Ross

Manukau City Councillor for Howick

Manukau Council debates tino rangatiratanga flag for third time

For the third time in two years Manukau City Council is again set to debate whether the tino rangatiratanga flag should be flown at Council offices on Waitangi Day.

The issue has been placed on the agenda of the Council’s Policy and Activities Committee for councillors to consider on Tuesday afternoon. The move comes less than a week before Waitangi Day and without any community consultation.

Manukau City Councillor Jami-Lee Ross has previously been a leading opponent of the Maori sovereignty flag flying on Council buildings and says he will be opposing this latest move.

“The tino rangatiratanga flag is not a symbol that represents Manukau City and I’m dismayed that we have to have this debate once again.

“The tino rangatiratanga flag is a flag of division, of racism, and separatism. It has no place flying on Council flagpoles and must not be approved at tonight’s meeting.”

Mr Ross, of Ngati Porou descent, says he is surprised the issue is even being raised after the Council previously decided against flying the Maori sovereignty flag. In June 2008 Manukau City Council adopted a flag policy that allows only the New Zealand flag and Manukau City Council flag to fly on civic flagpoles, as well as flags of sister cities or those of visiting overseas delegations.

“Waitangi Day is our national day and we should be flying a flag that represents national pride and unity. New Zealand only has one New Zealand Flag and it is a flag we should be proud of.

“The New Zealand Flag represents all New Zealanders, both Maori and non-Maori alike. There is no need or desire to fly a protest flag alongside it. The tino rangatiratanga flag is not a flag of our country, nor that of all Maori.”

Mr Ross says the move to fly the Maori sovereignty flag on civic flagpoles comes without any consultation with residents and ratepayers in Manukau City. This is despite the Council taking three months to develop a flag policy in 2008.

“If the Council wants to overturn its own flag policy, it should at least ask the community whether they approve of the change first. Given that many Maori do not support the Maori sovereignty flag, I doubt many Manukau residents will either.

“I’m calling on Manukau Mayor Len Brown to show leadership through this issue. If he wants to lead a united Auckland, then I would expect him to be lining up opposed to this proposal and voting against the flying of a separatist flag on Waitangi Day”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media