Ruth Tipu took action after discovering the New Zealand national flag laid on the ground with the words "Please walk on me" written across it at a Nelson Art Gallery. In a Facebook post, Tipu expressed outrage, calling the act deeply disrespectful- especially to those, like her grandfather who served in the Māori Battalion, who fought under the flag.
SOURCE: https://facebook.com/tipu.fordever/videos/4024036587863591
She picked up the flag herself, vowing to return daily if necessary. "Have some mana, whānau," she urged, calling on others to show respect and take a stand against the desecration of national symbols.
Earlier this morning, I shared my thoughts on a controversial piece of so-called "art" currently on display at the Nelson Gallery. The installation features the New Zealand national flag laid on the ground with writing that invites people to walk on it. In my opinion, this crosses a line between artistic expression and outright disrespect.
In my commentary, I pointed out a clear double standard that exists when it comes to public reaction. If the same treatment had been given to the transgender flag or the rainbow Pride flag, I have no doubt that there would be immediate and intense backlash—especially from the transgender and queer (TQ) communities and their political allies, such as the Green Party. There would be outrage in the media, social media storms, and likely demands for removal and apology.
Yet, when it's the national flag - under which countless New Zealanders have served, fought, and died - it’s silence. Why is one symbol protected so fiercely while another is treated as expendable?
I invite you to read my full article where I delve deeper into this issue and share why I believe respect for all cultural and national symbols should be consistent, not selective.
Walk on the NZ Flag and It's 'art'
An art gallery in Nelson is proudly displaying a piece that invites you to walk all over the New Zealand flag. That’s right – "Please Walk On Me" is boldly stencilled onto the national symbol, lying beneath a symbolic flax tripod in Diane Prince’s reworked 1995 piece
In other news, this morning I wrote about Deputy Mayor of Nelson, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens. Reports on X (formerly Twitter) suggest that O'Neill-Stevens supports the artwork, viewing it as a form of artistic expression. This has raised concerns among many who see the display as deeply disrespectful to a symbol that represents national pride and the sacrifices of those who served under it.
As a public official, his reported stance is disappointing to those who expect leadership that reflects shared values and respect for our country's heritage.
When being ‘a little bit Māori’ becomes a career move
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable trend in New Zealand’s political landscape. More and more people are identifying as Māori, including some who don’t fit the traditional image. Whether this marks a long-overdue recognition of whakapapa or a calculated political move depends on your perspective, but the pattern is hard to miss.
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