Republican Movement acknowledges Keith Locke's leadership

MEDIA RELEASE 26 January 2011

"The Republican Movement expresses its sincere thanks to Green MP Keith Locke, who has announced his retirement from parliament today" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

In 2009, Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill was drawn from the ballot of members bills and debated in parliament on April 21 2010, the Queen's birthday. Unfortunately, the Bill was defeated before the public could even make submissions on it.

"Having worked personally with Keith to get his Bill to select committee, I can attest to his dedication to a New Zealand republic and our country. Despite our political differences, Keith and I and the wider republican movement worked very closely. While we didn't achieve the result we wanted, Keith's Bill has prompted an ongoing debate about our head of state" continued Mr Holden.

"The Republican Movement will be sad to see Keith go. However, we know that many young Green supporters and MPs, such as Gareth Hughes, support a New Zealand republic with an independent head of state. We share Keith's confidence that a New Zealand republic will happen - it's just a matter of when. Above all, we thank Keith for his service to our country and this important debate about its future" concluded Mr Holden.

ENDS

Media contact: Lewis Holden 027 699 1350 (m)

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to:

• involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;
• providing relevant and reliable information;
• focusing on ideas, not personalities;
• winning a referendum to establish the republic;

Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz