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Police at Waitangi - Source: ONE News -
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All eyes will be on Te Tii marae on Saturday after the Prime Minister was attacked there on Waitangi Day last year.
Kingi Taurua says he is worried the row over the Tino Rangatiratanga flag could spark trouble this year.
"The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is the damn flag," the Ngapuhi elder says.
On Wednesday ONE News revealed that the family of MP Hone Harawira was cashing in on the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, which will fly from government buildings on Waitangi Day this year.
The flag row is triggering fears that disagreement between Maori could spill over into a physical scrap and Maori Party MP Hone Harawira's brother managed to fly the controversial flag briefly at Te Tii marae on Thursday morning before it was pulled down.
Ngapuhi is conscious of the need to avoid an outbreak of violence and says it is better prepared this year after two protesters tried to attack John Key as he made his way onto Te Tii Waitangi Marae last year.
"I think they'll be more aware of the need to protect the politicians. Last year we didn't," Taurua says.
Diplomatic protection officers have been scouting out the area, aware that a contingent of international diplomats are also turning up after a 15 year break because of past violence.
And those visitors are being promised a warmer welcome this time.
"No more bum baring or that kind of thing. I just hope it goes well," says Taurua.
This is the 170th anniversary of Waitangi Day celebrations and Treaty Grounds chief executive Jeanette Richards says this year's celebrations are a milestone.
She says it is also the year of the waka and crowds will be treated to a spectacle of a very large waka fleet on the day. Richardson says the fleet includes a massive 35-metre-long waka that is also celebrating its 70th birthday.
What do you think of the recent controversy around the Tino Rangatiratanga flag? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
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