2 June 2008 is New Zealand's official public holiday to celebrate the Queen's Birthday.

However, the Republican Movement can find no actual celebrations of the Queen's reign in New Zealand. If you know of any, please contact us or comment below. There are, however, plenty of celebrations for Matariki, the Maori new year which starts on 5 June and ends 5 July. The Auckland City Council, for example, has no celebrations for Queen's Birthday, but a month long festival for Matariki.

Meanwhile, 2008 will be the last time the British colony of Bermuda celebrates the Queen's Birthday. New Zealand should follow suit - more and more of us celebrate Matariki instead.

Nominations are now open for New Zealand's first head of State - click the banner below to tell us who you think New Zealand's first elected head of State should be: