July 09, 2015
Flag hui falls short despite symbolic bond
A member of the flag consideration panel says low turnout at public hui is disappointing and raises questions about their effectiveness as a consultative process.
Hana O’Reagan says only about 60 people turned up to a weekend hui at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi, although there was robust discussion, especially about the history of the He Whakaputanga or United Tribes flag and the Tino Rangatiratanga flag.
The response from Maori seems to be better on the internet.
She says Maori have a long history with flags, and form a strong attachment to symbols.
"No matter whether it's a raukura in their hair or a moko the aspect, the role of tohu, of symbols to represent who we are and to tell stories about that is absolutely entrenched within our culture. We have adopted that within the idea of logo. The same thing with our flag, it's just part of our adaptability I think as Maori. We've taken this pakeha concept and made it our own," Ms O'Regan says.
People have until July 16 to upload a flag design onto the independent panel’s website or to tell the panel what they think should be taken into account in its choice.
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