For both government and public buildings , the flag of New Zealand is flown at half-mast for the following people : In addition , it can also be flown at half-mast at the request of the Minister for Arts , Culture and Heritage . Examples of this are for the deaths of prominent New Zealanders ( e.g. Sir Edmund Hillary and Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu , the Maori Queen ) , and for national tragedies ( e.g. the Pike River Mine disaster ) According to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage , the position is always referred to as half-mast . The flag should be at least its own height from the top of the flagpole , though the actual position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole
Pike River Mine disaster
Pike River Mine disaster
Half-mast