A Government department's being forced to explain why our flag was flown at half-mast following the death of the late Saudi King.

The Prime Minister's Office is referring queries about the decision, criticised by some because of Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage.

The Ministry's response is that it is protocol for the New Zealand flag to be flown at half-mast to mark the death of the Head of State of any foreign country.