Protests over ‘please walk on me' flag artwork prompt its removal from gallery
The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said it had taken down the work by Maori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears.
The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid a public backlash in 1995.
This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history.
Police told the Associated Press that officers were investigating 'several' complaints about the exhibition.
The piece, titled Flagging The Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words 'please walk on me' stencilled across it.
The work was part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Maori experience since New Zealand's colonisation by Britain in the 19th century.
Ms Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Maori tribes for historical land theft.
'I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag,' she told Radio New Zealand in 2024. 'I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Maori.'
New Zealand's reckoning with its colonial past has gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain or change the flag's design.
New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with intent to dishonour it is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars, but prosecutions are fleetingly rare.
As in the United States and elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Maori, it is a reminder of land dispossession, and loss of culture and identity.
Protests against the artwork in the city of Nelson, which has a population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Maori Battalion during the Second World War.
In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Ms Tipu said she would repeat daily.
A veterans' group also denounced the piece as 'shameful' and 'offensive'. City council member Tim Skinner said he was 'horrified' by the work's inclusion.
But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media 'in strong defence of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art'.
The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, the Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a 'sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate' had prompted the flag's removal.
'This should not be interpreted as a judgment on the artwork or the artist's intent,' the statement said.
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Daily Record
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Kate Middleton and Prince William's huge decision for Prince George as 'reality hits home'
The Prince and Princess of Wales have an important decision to make during the summer holidays regarding their eldest son Prince George. The summer holidays will offer the Princess of Wales a valuable opportunity to spend precious time with her family before her three children begin a new school year. This summer in particular, will be one Kate is likely to cherish with significant milestones approaching - especially for Prince George. Kate and Prince William's eldest son turns 12 on July 22, and when he returns to school in September, it will mark his final year at Lambrook School, where he currently studies alongside his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. George is set to move on to secondary education the following year. As he approaches his teenage years, George - second in line to the throne - has been making more public appearances, each time under the watchful and supportive eye of his mum, Kate, the Mirror reports. As Prince George turns 12 and with the prospect of starting a new school next year, he is reaching an age where "the reality of his destiny has begun to hit home" according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. Speaking to the Mirror, Jennie explained: "He tends to look rather serious when he's 'on parade' these days. Charlotte looks demure, Louis looks impish, but George sometimes looks rather preoccupied to me. And who can blame him? It is an extraordinary prospect to know that one day you will be taking on the huge role that you are now watching your grandfather perform." "But he's not, by any means, always a serious little chap. When he's with his dad at a football match, or fooling around with his siblings and his father, he has a wonderful smile on his face, and seems happy and relaxed." In May, George took part in his most significant royal role to date during the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day. He joined Charlotte and Louis to watch a military parade and appeared alongside them on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF flypast. A notable milestone in his royal life came when he joined his parents chatting to Second World War heroes at a Buckingham Palace tea party. He listened to their important stories and asked questions about their experiences. He was gently guided through the event by his mother, Kate, who encouraged him to speak to the former servicemen and women, helping him feel at ease. Veterans who met Prince George at the event praised the young royal for his curiosity and thoughtful questions about their wartime experiences. Just weeks later, George joined his grandfather, King Charles, for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration, riding in a carriage and once again taking his place on the Buckingham Palace balcony for another spectacular RAF flypast. Fortunately, George isn't navigating this journey alone. As he approaches his teenage years, he is being closely supported by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Despite his growing public role, Kate and William remain committed to giving George and his siblings as normal a childhood as possible. This includes focusing on his education, enjoying everyday activities like attending Aston Villa matches with his father, and only making appearances at key royal events. It's a stark contrast to William's own teenage years, which were marked by time divided between his separated parents and life at boarding school. Tragically, William and his brother, Prince Harry, were just 15 and 12 when they lost their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, following a car crash in Paris in 1997. However, nobody knows more about how important a child's early years are in shaping their later lives than Kate — something she has, no doubt, put into practice with her own children. Jennie continues: "I think George's close and loving relationship with his parents will prove invaluable as he continues to grow up. Catherine is now such an expert on how children develop and the emotions they go through: her support and advice for George will continue to be a key factor in his wellbeing." One royal figure who Jennie believes set a powerful example for raising a future king is the mother-in-law Kate never met - Diana. Diana's hands on approach to parenting broke royal tradition as she made it a priority to expose William and Harry to life beyond palace gates, while still ensuring they both had an understanding of their royal responsibilities. She famously took them to McDonald's, had them queue like everyone else at theme parts and visited homeless shelters with them to give her sons a glimpse of life outside the royal bubble. Those childhood experiences clearly left a lasting impression on William, who has publicly expressed his ambition to end homelessness and reaveled he would be open to taking George to meet those who are experiencing homelessness. Jenni believes Diana's parenting style, as well as allowing her children to be normal boys, has undoubtedly influenced William and in turn how Kate has taken to raising George. She stated: "I think William has drawn on the openly loving and tactile relationship he had with his mother to help him bring up his own children." "He will remember how Diana insisted that her boys should know more about the real world than royal princes before them. She made them aware of having play days and work days. On play days they could wear jeans, eat burgers and enjoy go-karting. On work days they had to dress and behave as princes of the realm." "I think William has made sure that his own children have as many play days as possible, but he and Catherine have also gradually introduced them to the formal world of being royal." Speculation over which secondary school Prince George will attend is expected to intensify in the coming weeks. According to Jennie, the decision is likely to be a difficult one for William and Kate, who will also need to weigh what's best for Charlotte and Louis in the long run. She says: "For so many youngsters, teenage years can be hard, but for a prince, everything is a whole lot harder. First and foremost, the school has to be able to offer or accommodate 24/7 protection. Then there is the impact on other pupils because, like it or not, George will always be different." "I suppose Eton remains high on the list — for William the school was a haven at a very, very difficult time in his life following his mother's death — but Marlborough College is definitely another contender." "Catherine enjoyed her years there, especially the sports facilities, and a big plus must be that it is co-educational, so the other two children could join George there." Both schools have an impressive list of former students. Prince Harry also attended Eton, with prime ministers such as David Cameron and Boris Johnston and actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston. Marlborough College, on the other hand, has educated the likes of Princess Eugenie, comedian Jack Whitehall, and Samantha Cameron, wife of David Cameron. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Personally, I would like to see the siblings at the same school because I think they would be a great comfort to one another during these tricky years,' says Jennie. "I would also like to see them at a day school, or as weekly boarders, so that they could still enjoy the lovely, cosy home environment that William and Catherine have worked so hard to create for them." She stresses. "William was given a good deal of privacy at Eton, especially after Diana's death. And I think he will do everything possible to make sure that George and the others are able to negotiate this important growing up stage of their lives without worrying that cameras are around every corner." But it's clear that when it comes to the big decision, Kate will no doubt put what's best for George first — with Jennie saying he couldn't be more prepared for his future, thanks to his mother and father. Jennie continues: 'I think George is pretty lucky to have these two as his parents. And if Catherine needs advice, then I think the best person she can turn to is her husband — who is living out the very same destiny himself.'
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3 hours ago
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Kate Middleton and William face huge decision as 'reality hits home' for George
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The upcoming summer break will provide the Princess of Wales with a valuable opportunity to spend quality time with her family before her three children embark on a new academic year. This summer will be particularly significant for Kate, as substantial changes are looming on the horizon, especially for Prince George. As Kate and Prince William's eldest child celebrates his 12th birthday on 22 July, he will soon be entering his final year at Lambrook School alongside his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, before transitioning to secondary education. Recently, George, who is second in line to the throne, has been making more public appearances as he approaches his teenage years, with Kate offering gentle guidance at each event. As George turns 12, he faces not only the prospect of joining a new school next year but also the dawning realisation of his future role. According to former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond, "the reality of his destiny has begun to hit home" at this age. (Image: PA) (Image: Getty Images) Jennie tells the Mirror: "He tends to look rather serious when he's 'on parade' these days. Charlotte looks demure, Louis looks impish, but George sometimes looks rather preoccupied to me. And who can blame him? It is an extraordinary prospect to know that one day you will be taking on the huge role that you are now watching your grandfather perform. "But he's not, by any means, always a serious little chap. When he's with his dad at a football match, or fooling around with his siblings and his father, he has a wonderful smile on his face, and seems happy and relaxed.", reports the Mirror. In May, George undertook his most significant Royal engagement yet when he attended commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Alongside Charlotte and Louis, he mingled with veterans to watch a military parade, and made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF flypast. Taking a major step in his Royal duties, he joined his parents in conversing with Second World War heroes at a Buckingham Palace tea party. He listened attentively to their poignant stories and asked questions about their experiences. He was guided through the event by Kate, 43, who beckoned him over to chat with the former servicemen and women, helping her eldest son feel comfortable. The veterans at the gathering spoke highly of the young prince's curiosity about their wartime experiences. Last month, George also accompanied his grandfather, King Charles, for Trooping the Colour, riding in a carriage and, once again, appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for another impressive RAF flypast. Prince George is not alone on his journey towards adolescence, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by his side every step of the way. Despite an increasing public profile, Kate and William are adamant about giving George and his siblings as normal a life as possible. This includes a regular education, cheering on Aston Villa at football matches with his dad, and only making appearances at the most significant Royal events. This approach marks a departure from Prince William's own teenage years, which were spent navigating the complexities of his parents' separation and time at boarding school. At the tender ages of 15 and 12, William and Prince Harry endured the devastating loss of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Paris in 1997. Kate, however, is acutely aware of the profound impact early childhood has on later life, undoubtedly applying this knowledge in raising her children. Jennie comments: "I think George's close and loving relationship with his parents will prove invaluable as he continues to grow up. Catherine is now such an expert on how children develop and the emotions they go through: her support and advice for George will continue to be a key factor in his wellbeing." One Royal who, Jennie believes, will have set a precedent on how to raise a future King is the mother-in-law Kate never met - Diana. Her unique approach to parenting, which entirely rewrote the Royal rule book, saw her insist that William and Harry were exposed to life beyond palace walls, whilst simultaneously ensuring they both grasped the magnitude of their roles. She famously took her sons to McDonald's, made them queue like everyone else during days out at theme parks, and even brought them to homeless shelters to expose them to life outside the Royal bubble. Those childhood visits evidently had an impact on William, now 43, who has publicly stated his ambition is to end homelessness and concedes he, too, would be open to taking George to meet those who are experiencing homelessness. Jennie believes that Diana's approach, as well as allowing her children to be normal boys, will have undoubtedly influenced William - and, in turn, Kate - regarding how to raise George. She adds: "I think William has drawn on the openly loving and tactile relationship he had with his mother to help him bring up his own children. "He will remember how Diana insisted that her boys should know more about the real world than royal princes before them. She made them aware of having play days and work days. On play days they could wear jeans, eat burgers and enjoy go-karting. On work days they had to dress and behave as princes of the realm. "I think William has made sure that his own children have as many play days as possible, but he and Catherine have also gradually introduced them to the formal world of being royal." The upcoming weeks will likely see increased speculation about which secondary school George will attend. Jennie believes it will be a challenging decision for William and Kate, who will also be considering what's best for Charlotte and Louis. "For so many youngsters, teenage years can be hard, but for a prince, everything is a whole lot harder," she says. "First and foremost, the school has to be able to offer or accommodate 24/7 protection. Then there is the impact on other pupils because, like it or not, George will always be different. "I suppose Eton remains high on the list - for William the school was a haven at a very, very difficult time in his life following his mother's death - but Marlborough College is definitely another contender. "Catherine enjoyed her years there, especially the sports facilities, and a big plus must be that it is co-educational, so the other two children could join George there." Both schools boast impressive alumni, with Prince Harry also attending Eton, along with prime ministers such as David Cameron and Boris Johnson, and actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston. Meanwhile, former Marlborough pupils include Princess Eugenie, comedian Jack Whitehall and Samantha Cameron, the wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron. "Personally, I would like to see the siblings at the same school because I think they would be a great comfort to one another during these tricky years," Jennie opines. "I would also like to see them at a day school, or as weekly boarders, so that they could still enjoy the lovely, cosy home environment that William and Catherine have worked so hard to create for them." Jennie emphasises the importance of privacy, noting, "William was given a good deal of privacy at Eton, especially after Diana's death. And I think he will do everything possible to make sure that George and the others are able to negotiate this important growing up stage of their lives without worrying that cameras are around every corner." However, when it comes to making the ultimate decision, it's clear Kate will prioritise what's best for George, with Jennie remarking on his readiness for the future due to his parents' guidance. She remarks, "I think George is pretty lucky to have these two as his parents. And if Catherine needs advice, then I think the best person she can turn to is her husband - who is living out the very same destiny himself."
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
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Kate and William facing huge Prince George decision as 'reality hits home'
The summer holidays are fast-approaching for the Royal Family - and the time away from school this year will be particularly poignant for Prince George and the Prince and Princess of Wales The summer holidays will be a chance for the Princess of Wales to spend precious time with her family before her three children begin a brand new school year. And this summer will be one Kate will especially want to savour as huge changes are on the horizon — not least for Prince George. Kate and Prince William 's eldest child turns 12 on 22 July, and when he returns to class in September, it will be his last year at Lambrook School alongside his younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, before heading off to secondary education. Recently, George, who is second in line to the throne, has been making more public appearances as he edges closer to his teenage years — and at each one he is being gently guided by Kate. As he turns 12, as well as the prospect of joining a new school next year, George is of an age when "the reality of his destiny has begun to hit home" according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. Jennie tells the Mirror: "He tends to look rather serious when he's 'on parade' these days. Charlotte looks demure, Louis looks impish, but George sometimes looks rather preoccupied to me. And who can blame him? It is an extraordinary prospect to know that one day you will be taking on the huge role that you are now watching your grandfather perform. "But he's not, by any means, always a serious little chap. When he's with his dad at a football match, or fooling around with his siblings and his father, he has a wonderful smile on his face, and seems happy and relaxed." In May, George completed his most high-profile royal outing to date when he attended commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Alongside Charlotte and Louis, he mingled with veterans to watch a military parade, and made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF flypast. In a major step when it comes to his royal life, he joined his parents in chatting to Second World War heroes at a Buckingham Palace tea party. He listened intently to their important stories and asked questions about their experiences. He was led around the engagement by Kate, 43, who beckoned him over to talk to the former servicemen and women, putting her eldest son at ease. The veterans at the event spoke of how impressed they were with the young prince asking questions about their wartime experiences. Last month, George also joined his grandfather, King Charles, for Trooping the Colour, riding in a carriage and, once again, appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for another impressive RAF flypast. Of course, George doesn't have to walk this path alone, with Kate and William with him every step of the way as he approaches his teenage years. Even though his public profile will only increase, George's parents are determined for him and his siblings to have as normal an upbringing as possible. This means completing his education like any other young boy, attending football matches with William to watch their beloved Aston Villa, and only appearing at the most prestigious of royal events. In many ways, it is a far cry from his father's teenage years, when William and his younger brother, Prince Harry, split their time between their separated parents when they weren't at boarding school. Then, aged 15 and 12, the boys faced terrible tragedy when they lost their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, after she died following a car crash in Paris in 1997. However, nobody knows more about how important a child's early years are in shaping their later lives than Kate — something she has, no doubt, put into practice with her own children. Jennie says: "I think George's close and loving relationship with his parents will prove invaluable as he continues to grow up. Catherine is now such an expert on how children develop and the emotions they go through: her support and advice for George will continue to be a key factor in his wellbeing." One royal who, Jennie believes, will have set an example on how to raise a future King is the mother-in-law Kate never met — Diana. Her approach to parenting, which completely ripped up the royal rule book, saw her insist that William and Harry were shown a life outside of palace walls, while at the same time ensuring they both understood the enormity of their positions. She memorably took her sons to McDonald's, forced them to wait in line like everybody else during days out at theme parks, and even took them to homeless shelters to expose them to life outside the royal bubble. Those childhood visits clearly had an effect on William, now 43, who has publicly declared his ambition is to end homelessness and admits he, too, would be open to taking George to meet those who are experiencing homelessness. Jennie believes that Diana's approach, as well as allowing her children to be normal boys, will have no doubt been an influence on William — and, in turn, Kate — regarding how to raise George. She adds: "I think William has drawn on the openly loving and tactile relationship he had with his mother to help him bring up his own children. "He will remember how Diana insisted that her boys should know more about the real world than royal princes before them. She made them aware of having play days and work days. On play days they could wear jeans, eat burgers and enjoy go-karting. On work days they had to dress and behave as princes of the realm. "I think William has made sure that his own children have as many play days as possible, but he and Catherine have also gradually introduced them to the formal world of being royal." The coming weeks are likely to see speculation ramp up about which secondary school George will attend, and Jennie believes it will be a tough decision for William and Kate, who will be considering what is best for Charlotte and Louis as well. "For so many youngsters, teenage years can be hard, but for a prince, everything is a whole lot harder," she says. 'First and foremost, the school has to be able to offer or accommodate 24/7 protection. Then there is the impact on other pupils because, like it or not, George will always be different. "I suppose Eton remains high on the list — for William the school was a haven at a very, very difficult time in his life following his mother's death — but Marlborough College is definitely another contender. "Catherine enjoyed her years there, especially the sports facilities, and a big plus must be that it is co-educational, so the other two children could join George there." Both schools boast impressive alumni, with Prince Harry also attending Eton, along with prime ministers such as David Cameron and Boris Johnson, and actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston. Meanwhile, former Marlborough pupils include Princess Eugenie, comedian Jack Whitehall and Samantha Cameron, the wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron. "Personally, I would like to see the siblings at the same school because I think they would be a great comfort to one another during these tricky years,' says Jennie. "I would also like to see them at a day school, or as weekly boarders, so that they could still enjoy the lovely, cosy home environment that William and Catherine have worked so hard to create for them." And avoiding prying eyes will be important, she stresses. "William was given a good deal of privacy at Eton, especially after Diana's death. And I think he will do everything possible to make sure that George and the others are able to negotiate this important growing up stage of their lives without worrying that cameras are around every corner." But it's clear that when it comes to the big decision, Kate will no doubt put what's best for George first — with Jennie saying he couldn't be more prepared for his future, thanks to his mother and father. She says, 'I think George is pretty lucky to have these two as his parents. And if Catherine needs advice, then I think the best person she can turn to is her husband — who is living out the very same destiny himself.'
