Issues

Token changes are about to be made to the British monarchy to help its chances of survival. Changes to the succession to the throne will mean there’s no more feudal discrimination against female royals while some minor changes are being made to the rules around religion. The changes are too little, too late. They still mean that no New Zealander can ever be head of State of New Zealand. They will leave in place discrimination against Catholics. They mean New Zealand won’t have an independent head of State.

The government has established a Constitutional review to "consider constitutional issues". This review is meant to:

• stimulate public debate and awareness of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements and issues arising;

This page looks at the issues around the position of the Treaty of Waitangi (Ti Titiri o Waitangi) in a New Zealand republic. The Treaty is a key issue in the republic debate. There are two sub-issues - the constitutional position of the Treaty in a republic, and the standing or mana of the Treaty. The Republican Movement's position is that the transition to a New Zealand republic will not affect the current standing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Thousands of New Zealanders are required every year to swear allegiance to the Queen, instead of New Zealand. While not strictly a republican issue, the oaths and affirmations debate is part of the New Zealand republic debate, because it's a question of symbolism.

As part of our campaign for a New Zealand republic, the Republican Movement wants oaths and affirmations currently made to the Queen to be change changed so allegiance is sworn to New Zealand.