Prime Minister is stressed that "the Maori flag will not replace the New Zealand flag, but fly alongside it, to recognise the partnership the Crown and Maori entered into when signing the Treaty of Waitangi” and that no changes are being made to the status of the New Zealand flag. Furthermore, Dr Sharples added that the New Zealand flag remains the symbol of the nation, and there is no intention to change this. While the Prime Minister comments that flying the Maori flag is a step towards better race relations, already the choice of flag is proving to be a point of contention. While Dr Sharples has admitted that the choice of flag was not universally supported in Cabinet, with government MPs such as Nationals Tau Henare refusing to comment on whether they personally supported the choice. Labour MP Shane Jones, has identified the tino rangatiratanga flag 'Hone's flag' - a reference to controversial Maori Party MP Hone Harawira. He noted that the not representative of Maori in general and he objected to it being flown as if it was. There are several Maori flags thought out New Zealand, and this has been the first time any one has been identified as a National Maori flag
The Prime Minister stressed that "the Maori flag will not replace the New Zealand flag, but fly alongside it, to recognise the partnership the Crown and Maori entered into when signing the Treaty of Waitangi” and that no changes are being made to the status of the New Zealand flag. Furthermore, Dr Sharples added that the New Zealand flag remains the symbol of the nation, and there is no intention to change this. While the Prime Minister comments that flying the Maori flag is a step towards better race relations, already the choice of flag is proving to be a point of contention. While Dr Sharples has admitted that the choice of flag was not universally supported in Cabinet, with government MPs such as Nationals Tau Henare refusing to comment on whether they personally supported the choice. 
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Labour MP Shane Jones, has identified the tino rangatiratanga flag 'Hone's flag' - a reference to controversial Maori Party MP Hone Harawira. He noted that the not representative of Maori in general and he objected to it being flown as if it was. There are several Maori flags thought out New Zealand, and this has been the first time any one has been identified as a National Maori flag