I'm filling in for Lewis

Hi guys,

My name's Mike and I'm currently in between jobs.  Having some time on my hands, I offered to fill in for Lewis during his much deserved break overseas.  As far as I know, he and his new wife got away safely last night and I'm sure you'll join me in wishing them a happy time away.  

Until Lewis' return, I'll be doing my best to keep this blog up to date with current news related to republicanism in NZ.  I only recently became interested in the Republican Movement and many of you won't know me.  To defend my attempt to fill the large (and honourable) shoes Lewis leaves behind, I feel a need to say something about my republican credentials.  I recently completed a Masters thesis (hence not having a job) studying what makes NZ's EFTPOS payment system so well used compared to similar systems overseas.  In the ultimate conclusion to my thesis, NZ's EFTPOS system is well used because the NZ Government regulates the country's banks relatively lightly.  Indeed, it is because of this regulatory approach that I argue NZ has one of the most competitive markets for retail payment instruments (things like credit cards, EFTPOS and Snapper) in the developed world.

This leads into my interest in republicanism - since NZ is awesome (at least in terms of retail payments) right now, what do we need to do to keep it so?  I agree with others, NZ's becoming a republic seems inevitable.  What better time to help create a constitution that keeps NZ awesome (that is, promotes a stable government that operates as closely as possible in accordance with the will of the NZ public)?  This idea led quite naturally to my interest in republicanism.  

Back to this blog, as I said, I'll be doing my best to keep it up to date until Lewis’ return.  Since I don't have the same experience and familiarity with the issues as him, please bear with me.  I look forward to blogging with you.

Cheers,

Mike Wilkinson