Post visit and the debate continues

The royal visit has come and gone and, as expected, it increased discussion as to how best reform our head of state. 

While the carefully choreographed visit led to an outbreak of royal hyperbole from some it is unlikely to have had much effect on how people address the far more important question of democratic reform.  Royal celebrity and the personal popularity of any one person is not really what the debate is all about. It is about the principles and practices underlying New Zealand's highest public office.   

Kim Gillespie Editor of the Rotorua Daily Post made his views clear with his succinct editorial Time for a Kiwi Head of State. Herald Deputy Editor John Roughan reiterated his ongoing support for royal celebrity while Gordon Raynor , writing in The Telegraph, pointed to just how carefully arranged the royal appearances are in his article Why Duchess wore red in Wellington. 

Police dog puppies may have the cute factor, America's Cup yachts might look impressive but we need a head of state who lives in New Zealand and who isn't concerned about always looking good in photographs. The role is more important than being popular and being seen in all the right places. If anything it is about casting aside the trappings of celebrity and glamour and remaining connected with all New Zealanders regardless of their lifestyle or income level.

Our campaign carries on irrespective of who is visiting New Zealand.  Help us make it happen. Be part of creating a new era in New Zealand democracy.  Be part of creating a New Zealand republic.

Anzac Day: Remembering the fallen

Anzac Day is for remembering those who died in the service of their country. It is for honouring and remembering the suffering of those who have endured the misery of war.

From April 25th 1915 onward, a terrible trauma spread across Aotearoa. Suffering and grief was felt in every corner of New Zealand as family after family realised they would never see their loved ones again.  Throughout the nation the true horror of war became fully evident. 

There are many reasons why the men went to fight at Gallipoli and in all the wars and battles since. They did it for 'God, King and country', they did it for for the empire. They went with a sense of duty , they longed for adventure. Some went because they were fighting for "freedom and democracy". Many simply went because it was expected of them. Some went because they lacked the courage to say no. 

Regardless of why any person went to war, it is not for us to judge what their personal motivations were.  

Today is simply a day to acknowledge that irrespective of why they went to war they paid for it with their life.  They went and they never came back. 

Today is a day to remember  We do not forget those who died and we honour and remember all of those who suffered because of war.

Press Release: Republic campaigners positive after royal visit

"Campaigners for a New Zealand Head of State are feeling inspired after ten days of royal events" says NZ Republic Chair, Savage. "We have a long term vision for improving democracy in New Zealand and this royal visit was an important step toward realising that vision." 

"Nothing gets Kiwis talking about the pros and cons of having an overseas Head of State more than a royal visit, and it was gratifying to hear so many people joining in the debate in the news media, on talk back, in letters to the editor, via online forums and amongst their family and friends."

"As a nation we have to talk about this issue and make up our minds. As a group we are confident that once people read our policy statement and our plans for a two stage referendum process they will see the sense in changing to a democratically selected head of state."

"It was Kate's first ever trip to New Zealand and thousands of people lined up to catch a glimpse of her. To us that is just part of life in New Zealand. We expect such visits to still occur even after we change to having our own head of state. Royal watchers will still be able to enjoy the excitment of seeing two world famous Royals."

"We are simply campaigning so that people with the mana of Sir Jerry Mateparae or Dame Silvia Cartwright can become our head of state rather than just a representative of the head of State.  We would like to see the British head of state and a Kiwi head of state standing side by side as equals.  Two representatives of two sovereign nations." 

"People make the mistake of thinking we are anti-British just because we don't want to share a head of State with Britain.  Wanting a democratic nomination and selection process and wanting a New Zealander to be New Zealand's head of state is not anti-British. It is simply about looking out for the best interests of all Kiwis regardless of where their family comes from. Fair play is a very British value" 

"The visit is over but we will just carry on spreading the word that reform is needed" he concluded.

Head of State debate widens further

A republic with our own head of state has to happen but this campaign is about it happening sooner rather than later and we are not the only people saying it.

The contradictions inherent in how we choose our head of state have to be resolved and the right of Kiwis to participate in nominating and selecting the office-holder cannot be ignored . Our democratic system is based on fairness and democracy and our head of state must embody those principles. 

The office of head of state is falling short of its potential and no longer serves our needs.

Younger New Zealanders overwhelmingly want it to happen and the ethnic and religious diversity now  evident across New Zealand makes the current arrangements look even more out of date.  Five of the other 16 Commonwealth realms are making similar moves and today the UK's republic campaign opens yet another new branch in Birmingham. There is a clear shift away from hereditary head of states. We are on the road to a New Zealand republic.

Here the debate is widening. Newstalk ZB host Rachel Smalley has called for us to get on with it. Campaign Chair, Savage, writes that 'now is the hour' in today's NZ Herald and  last week Herald columnist Brian Rudman pointed to our poll to promote the need for change.  The weekend saw commentator Morgan Godfery writing in the Herald on Sunday that 'the monarchy has lost its meaning'  and appearing on the Sunday Morning show on Radio New Zealand to discuss the need for reform.

Yes, change is inevitable but only because republic supporters are pushing for it. Be part of making it happen. Join the campaign for a New Zealand head of state today.

Royal Visit: Listen and Learn

We all learn a lot from a royal visit and, just as with the visit of Charles and Camilla in 2012, the campaign for a Kiwi head of state is taking notice of how the whole thing unfolds.

We take notice of how the media report it, we examine how the debate plays out. We note down the things that everyone else missed and we incorporate that awareness into building an even stronger campaign.

The huge PR effort to stage this most recent visit creates a wealth of opportunities for us and we will take advantage of them all.

Our campaign is all about being pragmatic. Faced with a head of state that cannot do what the country needs it to, we developed practical solutions. If something isn't working we look for ways to fix it. We look always to do what is best for New Zealanders regardless of their interest in royalty.

Be part of the campaign and help make it a success. Join today (or renew your membership) on this website and share your skills and experiences. The royal visit is all but over but there is still work to be done to build more support. 

The Australian campaign will soon be in the spotlight but their leadership is looking ahead to a positive outcome. As their director David Morris has written: "We can warmly welcome the royal visitors next week while also backing an Australian republic. We look forward to the day when our friends in Britain warmly welcome the visit of an Australian head of state".

A secular head of state is vital

In a nation as diverse as New Zealand, with hundreds of different ethnicities and a multitude of political affiliations and religious beliefs, it is vital the office of head of state becomes independent.

In a New Zealand republic, the head of state's commitment to neutrality and independence will articulate the fundamental right of all Kiwis to be treated fairly and equally, both by the state, and by their fellow New Zealanders.  The person who occupies that role will have their own political allegiances and religious affiliations but they will set such matters aside in order to serve the interests of all New Zealanders.

No one will occupy the role indefinitely. By choosing a new head of state, each new term of office will nake it clear that, symbolically, all New Zealanders occupy the role. No one group will ever dominate our highest public office to the exclusion of all others. New Zealanders will all share in the office. We will all be welcome at Government House.

Our current head of state falls far short of these important democratic ideals. One family alone is eligible. One person is chosen according to birth order and the Monarch is obligated to be part of the Anglican faith. Our head of state privileges one part of our heritage and excludes all others. It gives priority and privilege to one faith.

Today, the heir to the British throne is demonstrating another reason why we must have our own head of state. By attending St Paul's Cathedral in Dunedin today the Monarchy is making it clear that they are Anglicans and that one day William will be head of the Anglican church.

For the people sitting alongside him it is no doubt an exciting and memorable day. For head of state campaigners, Christian and non-Christian alike, it is a reminder of why New Zealand deserves a secular head of state and why we ll carry on with our campaign for change.