Republicanism in New Zealand

This is a very informative book on republicanism in New Zealand, but it can be uneven. The book is also very academic, and not very accessible to readers.

Luke Trainor provides the first two chapters on the history and context of republicanism in New Zealand, Australia and Britain. Bruce Jesson, the public face of NZ republicanism issues in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, then discusses the development of republicanism in New Zealand, and the leading role that the 'Young Right' may take along with the Left. Andrew Stockley, in two long chapters, provides the clearest outline yet of the symbolic and legal issues in the republican debate - this is essential reading. Andrea Tunks provides a useful paper on Treaty issues, but the issues are still at an early stage of discussion. Jane Kelsey then argues that republicanism is intertwined with globalisation and decolonisation and that the debate can not be a minimalist one. The book leaves many areas for further work and reflects the early stage of the debate.