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Source: ONE News -
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Police are investigating a flag burning incident on the parliamentary forecourt on Friday afternoon, involving members of the Republican Party.
Two protesters allegedly attached themselves to an anti whaling protest and as it was about to disperse and burnt a New Zealand flag doused with an accelerant.
The flag was lit but flared only briefly before sputtering out, leaving the cloth with only minor damage.
Security guards raced out with fire extinguishers but they were not needed because the man decided not to try lighting it again.
One of the protesters, Jack Gielen, also burnt a flag on Waitangi Day.
He says New Zealand needs to have "united citizenship, a united constitution and a united flag".
It is an offence to destroy or damage the New Zealand flag.
Flag-burners in the past have been charged with offensive behaviour and fined $500.
