Te Ururoa Flavell
MP for Waiariki | Maori Party Whip
Monday August 8TH 2011
Why not the Tino Rangatiratanga flag? Asks Flavell
Maori Party MP for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell, believes the Tino Rangatiratanga flag should get strong consideration
following reports that the Rotorua District Council is deliberating whether the flag is the appropriate ‘Maori’ flag to
fly on Waitangi Day.
“Why not the Tino Rangatiratanga Flag? It represents a concept, rather than a specific race, class, or iwi. It
symbolises the partnership as promised in the Treaty of Waitangi, and therefore, acknowledges the special relationship
that tangata whenua and tangata tiriti have in this country.” Mr Flavell says.
“The Council and the Te Arawa Standing Committee have a huge task on their hands in trying to seek consensus on which
flag to fly.
“Quite frankly, there has been an extensive consultation process already completed which resulted in widespread
endorsement of the tino rangatiratanga flag. I really can't see how repeating this exercise so soon could be a
justifiable cost for local ratepayers.”
ENDS