Prime Minister John Key will support flying a Maori flag from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, but says it will be up to Maori to decide.

Mr Key said that provided Maori were consulted and the meaning of the flag was agreed upon, he has no problem with flying the Tino Rangatiratanga flag from the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.

"It is another small symbolic step in partnership towards the Treaty," Mr Key said today.

Asked if all New Zealanders would be consulted on the flag Mr Key said "no".

"New Zealanders take pride that as a country we are doing well in race relations and this is just another step," Mr Key said.

Mr Key told a press conference he had informed Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples of his views.

But he said that because consultation needed to take place, it was not likely to fly on Waitangi Day in 2009.

Dr Sharples, the Maori Affairs minister, earlier said he will ask ministers in the National Government to support a request for the Maori flag to be flown above the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.