Letter: Flag addition raises eyebrows

Dear Editor, Interesting to read that the PM is “suggesting” a flag rethink (Cook Islands News, December 14, 2023, changing the current national flag back to the original flag design from Papa Arapati’s day.

Indeed, worth thinking about, and ultimately should be decided by wide public discussion and the entire population – not just the PM, and his esteemed members of Cabinet. Many iti tangata will have views about this.

But what is a little unsettling is that the old green and gold flag is already now painted onto the sea wall mural, right at the very end, after the original mural artist had signed off his commission in classic traditional style with a flourishing paint brush stroke! Manea! Who then made the decision to include the green and gold flag right at the end, on that last remaining piece of seawall? And on who’s authority?

(Name and address supplied)