The Republican Movement is continually expanding its network of supporters throughout New Zealand. Our members are able to set up their own local groups and stake their own corner of New Zealand as a republic.

We won't be able to declare our own republic - the Republic of New Zealand - without building support at the flax-roots first. Declaring our own local electorates as republics is the first step in that journey.

Famous examples of self-declared republics in New Zealand include the Republic of Whangamomona, declared in 1989 to protest against the redrawing of regional government boundaries, and the Independent State of Aramoana, formed to protest against a proposed aluminum smelter.

Both of these examples were protests, but they grew into fun annual celebrations (in the case of Whangamomona).

How It Works

Declaring your own local electorate a republic is easy:

• Find your electorate on the Electoral Commission's website;
  
• Look up fellow republicans in your area in our members directory (in the members section);
• Appoint a local organiser to co-ordinate activities;
  
• Find a suitable "republic day" in your local electorate;
• Let the national executive know about your planned activities (a BBQ, flag raising, etc) so we can help you promote them.

Local declarations don't need to be elaborate. Contact the national executive and we can provide you with everything you need to get your local republic off the ground.

List of Groups