Archive - Newsletter issue

MEDIA RELEASE 21 April 2012

"A poll commissioned by the Republican Movement and published today has found that support for Charles to become King is declining, especially amongst women" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

A poll of 1,000 eligible voters found 51% supported Charles as King, a decline from 54% in a poll at the same time last year. This result was underpinned by a decline of support for King Charles amongst women to 52% from 58% last year. With many of those women becoming undecided, support for New Zealand to become a republic amongst all New Zealanders rose to 36%.

The change substantially reduces the disparity between female and male support for Charles that was observed in polling in the previous two years. It suggests the fickleness of support for the monarchy . It seems to be only based on the attention it receives in New Zealand's media.

"The Republican Movement beleives New Zealanders should have a say on who their head of state is, and how they're elected. That will require a national conversation on where we're headed - and the time to start that conversation is now" concluded Mr Holden. 

MEDIA RELEASE 4 February 2012

"This Waitangi Day is an important time to start thinking about where New Zealand is headed as a nation - not just where we've been" said Republican Movement chair Lewis Holden.

The Queen's Ascension Day coincides with Waitangi Day, something which Jock Philips of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage describes as an "accident of history".

"The Queen has been our head of state for 60 years this year. While there will be plenty of reflection on the past, the Republican Movement's focus remains on New Zealand's future, especially with the forthcoming consitutional review" continued Mr Holden.

On Waitangi Day, the Republican Movement will publish its draft policy statement for public discussion. This statement will form the basis of its campaign to start New Zealanders thinking about who our head of state is.

"The transition to a New Zealand republic is a simple, but important step in New Zealand's progression to full and unambigous independence. Whether we think the Queen has done a great job as our head of state for the last 60 years or not, the reality is New Zealand is a very different place than it was in 1952. What will the next 60 years bring us as a country?

A New Zealand republic can still retain our historical links as a former part of the British Empire while asserting our nation on the world stage. It's time to ask: where are we headed?" concluded Mr Holden.

NOTES

• The Republican Movement's draft policy statement will be published on Waitangi Day here: www.republic.org.nz/policy

ENDS

In this edition:

MEDIA RELEASE 29 October 2011

MEDIA RELEASE 31 August 2011

"New Zealanders are more than mature enough to choose a head of state of their own. New Zealand will get its 20th Governor-General following another colonial-era ceremony today. Sir Jerry is only the 10th New Zealander to hold the office, now considered our de facto head of state" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

In contrast, the people of Ireland will go to the polls on 27 October to elect a new president. The Governor-General is appointed by the Queen, on the exclusive advice of the Prime Minister.

"While we wish Sir Jerry well, the office he holds is increasingly at odds with the aspirations of New Zealanders. Despite the evolution of the office in recent years - notably during Sir Paul Reeves tenure as Governor-General in representing New Zealand overseas - the office is not a full New Zealand head of state. That position is monopolised by an absentee family in the United Kingdom" said Mr Holden.

"The Republican Movement and a number of academics feel that the office does not provide sufficient constitutional checks, and does not have sufficient checks put on it. When compared with other countries following the parliamentary system with an elected head of state, this is clearly the case. The Governor-General's powers are not clearly defined, nor does their appointment process lead to an independent arbiter as some claim the office is. New Zealand deserves better checks and balances. New Zealanders deserve the right to choose their head of state" concluded Mr Holden.

ENDS

MEDIA RELEASE 17 August 2011
"Today, a ceremony that is little changed since colonial times will take place in Wellington.

MEDIA RELEASE 4 August 2011

"The Republican Movement welcomes the announcement of the 12 independent members of the Constitutional Advisory Panel this afternoon. Like the Republican Movement, the panel's membership is drawn from all sides of politics and sectors of New Zealand society" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.