MEDIA RELEASE: 12 March 2010

"The polling by Research New Zealand showing a dip in support for New Zealand becoming a republic to 32% is expected after a Prince William's royal tour" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 February 2010

"The broad range of supporters of Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill in today's Sunday Star-Times shows growing republican sentiment in New Zealand" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

MEDIA RELEASE: 18 January 2010

Members of the Republican Movement will today unfurl a banner outside the Supreme Court in Wellington clearly stating "It's time for a republic". Coinciding with Prince William's visit the demonstration will highlight that New Zealanders are more than able to choose a head of state of their own.

MEDIA RELEASE - 2 December 2009

The Republican Movement today condemned Prime Minister John Key's support for changing the Royal succession law as "pointless and half-baked".

14 October 2009

"The Republican Movement is very pleased that Keith Locke's Head of State Bill has been drawn from today's members ballot. The Bill gives New Zealanders their first chance ever to choose whether New Zealand should become a republic. All MPs who believe in giving the public a say should support the Bill to Select Committee stage" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Head of State Bill would bring about a referendum on whether New Zealand should become a republic. If Parliament passes the Bill into law, three options would go before the New Zealand people in a referendum - the status quo, a republic with a head of state elected by parliament, and a republic with a head of state directly elected by the people.

"Even if they oppose a republic, no MP can dispute that this issue is best decided by the New Zealand public in a referendum. We hope that our elected representatives will agree that the people of New Zealand deserve a say on how their government works - and that they support this Bill through its first reading" continued Mr Holden.

Noel Cox, Chairman of the Monarchist League, commented when the Bill was first put into the members ballot that he was not opposed to a referendum on a republic.

"The monarchists think there should be a referendum - their supporters in parliament should vote for this Bill on that basis" concluded Mr Holden.

NOTES

• More information on the Bill can be found at: www.headofstate.org.nz
• The New Zealand Herald quoted Noel Cox on 20 February 2002 as stating he had "no objection to a referendum" on a republic.
• The Head of State (Referenda) Bill is supported by the Republican Movement to select committee stage.
• The Republican Movement will continue its campaign for a New Zealand head of State, and continue backing the Bill, even if the Bill is voted down by Parliament.
• The Bill is a private members' Bill, and not a Green Party initiative.

24 August 2009

The Republican Movement is to launch a new book to coincide with the historic anniversary of New Zealand's first assertion of its independence from the British Empire.

"The New Zealand Republic Handbook sets out New Zealand's path towards a republic," said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

"We're starting a new debate around New Zealand's nationhood, and the idea that a New Zealander should be our head of state," Mr Holden said.

"Monarchy as an idea has had it, there is no doubt in my mind that the best way we can head into the future is as a republic," said Keri Hulme, Patron of the Republican Movement, in the foreword to the book.

The book will be officially launched by Hon. Peter Dunne at Parliament on 23rd September, days before the 102nd anniversary of New Zealand becoming a dominion.

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"Not one of New Zealand's local authorities will hold celebrations for the Queen this Queen's Birthday weekend" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

The Republican Movement wrote to all of New Zealand's district and city Mayors in May. Not one indicated any celebration of the Queen's Birthday for the upcoming long weekend - instead, several announced they were holding celebrations for Matariki, the Maori new year.

"Queen's Birthday weekend is supposed to be a time to celebrate the monarchy. But the weekend is a celebration of nothing. The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21. The date was moved to June because the weather is better in the northern hemisphere. The reason for the holiday is ignored by most New Zealanders and marked only as a long weekend. We should celebrate something unique about our place in the world. We could celebrate Matariki or the Winter solstice, a fun winter festival. New Zealanders simply don't care about the monarchy anymore." concluded Mr Holden.

MEDIA RELEASE 21 April 2009

"A poll commissioned by the Republican Movement and published today, on the Queen's 83rd birthday, shows New Zealanders are increasingly looking to the future as a republic - although Prince Charles is winning the race by a nose" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

43% of those surveyed in the poll stated they wanted New Zealand to become a republic, and did not want Prince Charles to become New Zealand's head of State when the Queen's reign ends. 45% supported Charles as King, with 13% stating they wouldn't answer or didn't know.

"Whether they support the monarchy or a republic, New Zealanders want the chance to choose who their future head of State is" continued Mr Holden. "With the Cabinet Office helping legal academic Alison Quentin-Baxter research a book on the implications of the end of the Queen's reign, the debate is reaching a new and crucial phase".