Prime Minister John Key talks about the flag debate on the first day of the flag referendum.

Chants of "don't change the flag" and "hide your ponytails girls" could be heard from protesters during Prime Minister John Key's visit to Palmerston North Girls' High School.

Key visited the school on Thursday morning to speak to the female students about leadership, following their dreams and working hard.

The small crowd of protesters gathered outside the high school gates with the New Zealand flag, anti-TPPA banners and a selection of chants.

Protester TeAo Pritchard said some of the protesters gathered to show the Prime Minister their disgust in the government signing the Trans Pacific Trade Agreement.

Others wanted show their support for the New Zealand flag, coinciding with the start of the voting period for the flag referendum.

Pritchard said the millions of dollars spent on the flag referendum should be spent on helping Kiwi children in need of food and education.

"This flag referendum is a waste of money and it's money that our children need."

Protesters were at their most vocal as Key was welcomed onto school grounds.

Protester Sue Pugmire said it was a way to share Kiwi voices on matters which directly impacted the public.



"It's about democracy. It's about people being able to give opinions and have a say."

Pritchard said the biggest thing was raising public awareness about important issues which people knew little about.

She has organised fortnightly workshops to allow people to come together in discussion.

At a press conference Key said he hoped New Zealanders would vote in the referendum.

"It's a one in a generation chance to choose. If you don't chance the flag and that's the majority view, I'll absolutely respect that. But you won't easily get another chance to do that."

Key spoke to the Palmerston North Girls' High students at an assembly and gave them advice on working hard to achieve their goals.

He also appeared in selfies with many of the students and spoke to head girl Amber Joseph about her future ambitions at university.

The prime minister then visited the Massey University campus, spoke to tertiary students and answered questions about student fees.

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He also visited the Manawatu Mail Centre, which had replaced the site at Mathews Ave and brought in 180 new jobs to the region.

It is one of three processing centres in New Zealand and processes all lower North Island mail.