Protestors march on Waitangi

New Zealand Herald Sunday 5th February, 2012

For the first time in several years, protestors at the Waitangi Day celebrations at the Far North have made a serious attempt to get the Tino Rangatiratanga flag flying on the flagpole at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

A protest hikoi featuring about 200 protestors marched on the treaty grounds this afternoon, stopping at edge of the flagpole on the grounds at about 2pm.

While protestors demanding the use of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag in recent years have made a symbolic circle around the flagpole, this year's protest was more overt and had an edge of violence, with organisers telling the crowd to push through anybody - including media - who got in their way.

The protestors were prevented from reaching the flagpole by two lines of Maori wardens, backed up by police who stood behind and around the flagpole.

After being blocked from reaching the flagpole and a short stand-off, three protestors were allowed through to walk around the base of the flagpole and touch all four sides, before backing off again.

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