QUEENWOOD SCHOOL-RUN UTE NOW FLYING MORE FLAGS THAN THE BEEHIVE ON A GOOD DAY

A Hilux flying eleven flags has taken up a permanent position in the pickup lane outside a Queenwood primary school. Parents say it is now the main reason nobody can see the road.

The ute arrives at 2.45pm and leaves whenever it feels like it. On board: the New Zealand flag, a Chiefs flag, a Mooloo flag, and two Christmas ones from an unclear year. Mum-of-three Sharlene Prasad described the rest as "just fabric with opinions." The pickup lane fits nine cars when empty. With the ute in it, Prasad reckons, "about six and a mood."

"He reversed in on Tuesday and took out the crossing guard's cone with a flagpole," Prasad said. "Not the ute. The flagpole. It's got a reach on it. My youngest thinks the school has a navy now."

The ute's owner, Dwayne Kerrigan, told The Daily Yarn the flags were "for the kids" and "also for the Chiefs." He said the pickup lane was "public road, last I checked, which was never." He has added two flags since a parent from the school board left a note under his wiper. "Passive-aggressive note, so I went aggressive-aggressive bunting. That's how it works."

Hamilton City Council was asked whether eleven flags on a moving vehicle breached any bylaw. It said it was "looking into it" but the relevant staff member was "currently at the CEO thing." A spokesperson added the ute would be permitted on the ring road "once someone confirms where it goes."

This reporter notes that in 1974 a man had one flag. It was on a pole in his front yard and he took it down when it rained. Kerrigan has since been seen at the school gate with a twelfth flag. It appears to just say "HAMILTON" with the H crossed out.