Constitutional review: it's on!

The Government has finally announced its much anticipated constitutional review. As you can see from our media release below, we're disappointed that a New Zealand republic isn't included. On the other hand, as No Right Turn points out, this might be a blessing in disguise: the constitutional review can consider all of the "other" issues, and we are free to continue to push for a republic through other means. It could also mean potentially sticky issues - such as the Treaty of Waitangi in a New Zealand republic - can be resolved separately.

On that point, Dr Pita Sharples made an interesting statement in an interview with Radio NZ: Maori don't support a republic (actually that's not true - more Maori support a republic than European New Zealanders) because of the Treaty. Deputy Prime Minister Bill English probably more accurately stated that the government doesn't want a republic overshadowing the review. Again, this is a good thing for us.

Meanwhile, Stuff has a poll on the review.

Update: Labour's Phil Goff is calling for the review to consider a New Zealand republic.

Update II: Peter Dunne's UnitedFuture is making a similar call.

Update III: Radio New Zealand has updated its story.