Man charged after stealing defaced flag from Hastings Art Gallery

Tuesday 16 December 2025 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated Tue 16 Dec 2025, 4:30pm

In this story Diane Prince, Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery

A man has been charged with stealing a New Zealand flag defaced with the words "Please walk on me" from the Hastings Art Gallery. The accused stated he attended the exhibition expecting the artwork to be displayed behind a barrier or on a wall rather than on the floor.

How they headlined it

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9:24am4:30pm

1. NZ HeraldTue 16 Dec 2025, 9:24am

   Man charged with stealing Diane Prince’s ‘Please walk on me’ flag which went missing from Hastings gallery (opens in new tab)

   Also on RNZ (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesTue 16 Dec 2025, 4:30pm

   'It's an interactive art piece': Man charged with stealing provocative flag (opens in new tab)