at polytech
Raised as Māori Language week began yesterday, the tino rangatiratanga flag is set to stay at Otago Polytechnic.
Karakia, waiata and an impromptu haka took place during the noon ceremony at the Dunedin campus as the Māori flag was raised to half-mast.
Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association president Ezra Tamati first requested it be flown alongside the New Zealand flag in February last year.
The ideal day for the ceremony was clear after approval was granted in June.
"We got to pick the day. There was no other day that I would think more appropriate than today."
Not only was it the first day of Māori language week, it was also the 50th anniversary of the event, which began as Māori Language Day in 1972.
Link to video and article: Māori flag flown at polytech | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz)
