Hats off

To the Managers of the Auckland Harbour Bridge who have decided to not allow the hanging of the Maori Flag on the Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.

Whilst a reactionist response is easy to leap to, 'why not let them display their flag', the rationale for the decision is refreshingly straight forward and sound:

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."

I have long been ansi about Waitangi Day being a National Day of Guilt. It has always felt like a sick day from work for me - you get the day off work, but feel no real sense of celebrating the day. You just wait to see if you get busted, or in the case of Waitangi Day, wait to see what prick hi-jacks the day with a destructive protest.

Sorry Teanau, it is a day for New Zealander's, all. Should there be dialogue about the work left to do? Absolutely.

But is a visual representation of Maori wanting a seperatist state a fitting part of our Natioanl day. Hell no.

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."

Maybe so, but choose - nigh - create a forum for the discussion without imposing guilt on those that would engage and empathise, but just want to enjoy our National Day.