Flagpole hot issue

Christchurch City Council won’t allow a flagpole on Sumner’s replacement civic centre building because it may offend China. In a memo to the Sumner Redcliffs Historical Society, the council said the city has enough civic flags — and raises concerns a sensitive flag, such as those of Taiwan, Tibet or West Papua, could be flown. Secretary Topsy Rule said they only want to fly New Zealand’s flag.