It's replaced every six weeks and receives daily visual inspections, but the New Zealand flag on top of the Beehive that was near the end of its flying days had one critic before it was substituted - Winston Peters.
The New Zealand First leader took to Twitter on Tuesday morning asking why the "tattered and fraying" flag that was flying at the time hadn't been replaced yet. He also posted zoomed-in photos showing the flag's rather battered edges.
"Our flag, flying above our parliament, should be a symbol and representation of our country," Peters tweeted.
"Our forebears fought and died for that flag and what it represents. The insult is unforgivable. It is now a symbol of this tattered and fraying government.
"It needs to be replaced immediately."
But, perhaps coincidentally, the staff responsible for looking after the flag were back on Tuesday and it was replaced in the morning following its daily inspection.
"The flags are visually inspected every day. They are also replaced every six weeks (up to 10 times a year), although this time the process was affected by COVID-related staffing shortages," Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero told Newshub.
"The flag is flown 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is lit by floodlights on top of the Executive Wing/Beehive. This continuous flying of the flag shortens its life. How long a flag lasts depends on the weather conditions, but we generally plan for up to 10 flag replacements each year. Where possible, the old flags are repaired and reused.
"The staff responsible for this are back today and the flag was replaced this morning following its daily inspection. The photos in question may have been taken yesterday, or very early this morning."
The flag on top of the Beehive is 5.4 metres by 2.7 metres, and because of its size, it can take up to two people to raise and lower it safely.
Peters noticed later on Tuesday afternoon the flag had been replaced and said "the Government has been shamed" into swapping it out "with an appropriate one".
Whether Peters' tweet was related to the flag being replaced is unknown.
The Parliamentary Service looks after the buildings and grounds of the parliamentary precinct. They also give administrative and support services to the House of Representatives and MPs.
