Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown is pushing the government to give the Maori flag the ''official status it deserves'' after announcing today it would fly from Wellington Town Hall on Waitangi Day for the first time.

''Let this be the start of a long-running tradition on February 6, and I urge the government to give the Tino Rangatiratanga flag the official status it deserves,'' Ms Wade-Brown said.

Although the Maori flag does not have official status she said it was good that it would be flown together with the New Zealand national flag on the country's national day of celebration.

LAIRD HARPER Celia Wade-Brown: "The Tino Rangatiratanga flag is a symbol of this great land and complements the existing New Zealand flag."

Ms Wade-Brown said it was appropriate to fly the flag from the capital's civic buildings on Monday because it is also the first time Wellington will host the country's Waitangi celebrations and the Diplomatic Corps.

''The Tino Rangatiratanga flag is a symbol of this great land and complements the existing New Zealand flag.

''Waitangi Day is all about the spirit of mutual respect and nationhood so we will fly the two flags together. This symbolises and enhances the relationship between the Crown and Maori,'' she said.

On Waitangi Day, Ms Wade-Brown will officially open celebrations at 10am Wharewaka Te Raukura at Taranaki St wharf followed by a speech by Sir Ngatata Love, chairman of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.

The national Maori flag was developed by members of the group Te Kawariki in 1989. On February 6 1990, the group unveiled the flag at Waitangi.

On December 14, 2009 Cabinet recognised the Maori flag as the preferred national Maori flag.

-The Dominion Post