By Jenny Ling
The debate over the New Zealand flag has uncovered a piece of history.
And the rediscovered relic is winning approval from the people involved in arts.
Mt Eden artist Stanley Palmer made a replica of the original united tribes flag in the late 1980s.
"The idea of going back to something historical was really good." Mr Palmer says.
Arts writer Hamish Keith and Maori arts advocate Elizabeth Ellis both say the united tribes flag is truly representative of New Zealand.
The flag was original designed by Henry Williams and mutually agreed upon by the Maori Chiefs at Waitangi, in 1834, one year before the Declaration of Independence. It came to be known as the flag of the united tribes of New Zealand.
It signified British recognition of New Zealand as an independent nation and, for Maori, acknowledge the mana of Maori chiefs.
It was recognized as the national flag from 1834 until the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, although it is still flown on occasions by Nga Phui in the far North.
Mr Palmer says he particularly likes the inner part of the flag, noting the significance of red, white and black to Maori.
He always had a strong interest in Maori heritage and New Zealand history and has made a number of flags and banners.
These include flags for the Springbok tour protests and the Te Whiti (1981), exhibited at the Govt Brewster Gallery, which he says interwove European and Maori influences.
He says changing the original flag of the united tribes to the current flag was like "overriding the signing of the treaty".
Ms Ellis, from Nga Puhi, is an advocate for Maori arts and a member of the Maori Arts Board at Creative New Zealand.
She says that she would like to see more individuality on the flag and have it represent who we are as people - the Union Jack doesn't say this".
The united tribes flat is a "bold statement of identity", she says.
"It acknowledges the people of the land and importance of the movement."
Public interest in the New Zealand flag has prompted the formation of a lobby group to change the flag.
It wants Government to include a referendum on the flag at this year's election.
The flag of the united tribes is among the flag designs pictured on the group's website.
Mr Keith says the united tribes flag is "strong looking - a bloody sight better than the one we've got now."
He notes the significance of the color red in this flag, as being particularly sacred to Maori, because it refers to the blood of Papa and Rangi, the sky father and earth mother.
Speaking of the other design ideas for a new flag, Mr Keith wonders why we would adopt any flag designed by an advertising agency.
"They may serve better as logos," he say
Central Leader
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2005.