Attention Prime Minister John Key: When his ‘folly' is over, and the current flag is retained – as predicted – I challenge him to reimburse the New Zealand taxpayer the $26m from his own large pocket. This is money that could have been spent on many worthwhile causes. Funding of Keytruda for 300 melanoma patients is one example.

And divvying up $26m would give every primary school in the country an extra $10,244.

D Maguire, Katikati