Key’s Waitangi security boosted

Posted by karere under Maori News

Prime Minister John Key will be shadowed by bolstered security at Waitangi today as organisers predict that sparks will fly over the new Maori flag. Officials confirmed yesterday that the tino rangatiratanga flag will fly at eight official locations on New Zealand’s national day – but not at the Waitangi Treaty grounds. Some Maori and political leaders said the flag was too divisive and a new poll revealed a bare majority in support of it.

“I think it probably is looming as a possible flashpoint,” Waitangi National Trust board chairman Pita Paraone said yesterday. “Not necessarily by the more mature members, but probably by the younger generation who have been responsible for much of the protest over recent years.” The flag will fly at Premier House, Government House, Te Papa, the Wellington offices of the Defence Force, the Customs Service, Internal Affairs, the Transport Ministry and Auckland Harbour Bridge. NZ Post is arranging for the flag to fly alongside the New Zealand one at its headquarters in Wellington next year.

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