The Mount Maunganui woman who designed the Tino Rangatiratanga flag says the decision to copyright it is not about money.
Linda Munn is also refuting accusations that embattled Maori Party MP Hone Harawira and his family are 'cashing in” on their role in the copyrighting process of the flag.

Artist Linda Munn says copyrighting her flag design is not about the money.

'I'm stepping up and taking ownership. I was worried it would be taken away. But people are only talking about the money aspect, they are forgetting what it symbolises.”
'It's not about money. It's about protecting it. It belongs to us.”
'It's to protect it and keep it in New Zealand. We have found a lot of our designs from here have been taken away overseas,” says Linda.
She says most of the revenue generated from the flag after it is copyrighted, which she expects will be complete within a year, will go into a trust.
About eight trustees will be appointed to the trust and Linda says she will personally ensure the trust's accounts are transparent so the public knows where the money is being spent.
About 30 years ago, Linda designed the Tino Rangatiratanga flag with Jan Dobson and Hiraina Marsden, but is the only surviving member of the trio.
Linda says she and her family, along with the families of the other two designers, will receive some portion of the flag's profits but is adamant the Harawira family will not receive any money.
She says Hone Harawira and his wife Hilda are advising her on the copyrighting process.
'I find making money tacky. I find the whole money making thing quite dirty and they would never ask for anything.”
She says the trust will help establish community initiatives such as education scholarships, a marae-based art school for all New Zealanders and a programme teaching Maori and New Zealand culture.
'This is the dream we've always had. I will make sure this vision for the community is seen through,” says Linda.