Flying the flag of Scotland.

On other days I have seen the 'Maori flag' flying from this flagpole. When then Prime Minister John Key attempted to distract the populace from the 1917 general election by holding a referendum on the flag, the majority wanted no change.

The occupier of a house in our neighbourhood took to flying the Maori flag which many of us supported as a replacement if we are going to do so. Flying the Scottish flag might indicate opposition to the King of England being our king. We actually have our own king if the country as a whole embraced him as the king.

The Maori King movement began in the 1850s (after Te Tiriti Waitangi had been signed in 1840). Maori were concerned that rapid colonisation, with land ownership shifting away from Iwi, was a threat to Maori values. The formation of Kingitanga (the King movement) was an indication of unity amongst Maori to be seen as equals to Pakeha. 

The first King was Potatau Te Wherowhero. He agreed to be the King in 1857 (having twice before declined). He was formally crowned in 1858. The current king (Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki is the seventh, succeeding his mother in 2006. 

The third King (Mahuta) became a member of the Legislative Council, and was also on the Executive Council (the Cabinet). Apparently, this was seen as a failre, and subsequent Maori members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers were elected MPs. The Maori king has a largely symbolic role.

Perhaps Scotland could follow Aotearoa/New Zealand's lead and have a King or Queen rather than be expected to be the loyal subjects of the English monarch.