IN THIS EDITION: Keith Locke's Bill To Be Debated, Prince William To Cut Ribbon, Majority Want Republic in Canada, Republic Campaign in the Cook Islands, New Editor of Republic, Republican Movement News.

Keith Locke's Bill To Be Debated

KEITH LOCKE'S Head of State Referenda Bill is to be debated in Parliament in March 2010. The Bill, which has been in the ballot since 2001, was drawn  in October. The Republican Movement welcomed the chance to debate the Bill, which gives New Zealanders their first chance ever to choose whether New Zealand should become a republic.

The 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" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

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.

Prince William To Cut Ribbon

PRINCE WILLIAM is to visit New Zealand for three days in January 2010. During the trip, Prince William's only official duty will be to open the new Supreme Court building in Wellington. The Supreme Court replaced appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over five years ago.

The Monarchist League has declared that Prince William is the "right" person to open the Supreme Court, without any sense of irony. The League argues that because a representative of the Royal family is opening the court, it is "a powerful symbol of the independence of the Courts." If that was the case, then it would make more sense for the already independent head of New Zealand's judiciary, the Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, to open the court.

Dame Sian is the most qualified legal mind in New Zealand. Or perhaps the Queen's representative - the Governor-General - could do it. Sir Anand was once a district court judge, and holds an office which costs the taxpayer around $20 million a year. Prince William, qualified as a Royal Air Force pilot, is not better qualified than either these eminent jurists.

Majority want a republic in Canada

A POSITIVE poll result for the republican movement in Canada highlights similar issues here in New Zealand. On the eve of a 12-day tour of Canada by Prince Charles, a poll commissioned by monarchists has shown two thirds of the country thinks he is out of date and out of touch. Canadian republicans have called again for an end to a foreign head of state, while monarchists have called for Charles to become more active in Canadian politics.

The situation in Canada exemplifies the monarchist dilemma in New Zealand and Australia and all of the former colonies. Thanks to his mother's old-fashioned approach to the role, Charles now faces an inescapable problem. He is perceived as distant and irrelevant but if he tries to remedy this by commenting on, or becoming involved in, local political issues he strips away the veneer of neutrality Queen Elizabeth has worked so hard to construct.

The Queen has visited Canada more than any other country but her dispassionate demeanor has lead to a situation where half of Canadians are unaware she is even their head of state.

Republic campaign in the Cook Islands

Our membership organiser Savage was in Rarotonga last month and took the opportunity to discuss how becoming a republic will affect the Cook Islands. He was the after dinner speaker at the local Rotary group and had an article published in the Cook Island News (17 October). Savage says "Expanding the debate to other parts of 'the realm' is important. All Cook Islanders have New Zealand citizenship. They are part of the debate and changes here will have a big impact on their parliament and constitution."

Why does New Zealand becoming a republic affect the Cook Islands?

Cook Islands, New Zealand, Niue, the Ross Dependency (Antartica) and Tokelau are all in the "Realm of New Zealand". We share the Queen as head of state. If New Zealand withdraws from the realm then, in practice, it will cease to exist.

When will New Zealand become a republic?

We want a republic within 5 to 8 years. We have launched a nationwide campaign for a referendum held no later than the 2014. There is a cross-party caucus in parliament and we are close to a majority among voters. The Head of State Referenda Bill was put forward by Green MP Keith Locke. He is a member of the Republican Movement so it's a great opportunity for us.

What's happening in the rest of the Commonwealth?

There are cross-party republic movements in three other countries. Republic support in Australia and Canada is over 60%. Both main parties in Australia support it. In the UK its around 30%. Plus the Labour parties in Jamaica (the government) and in Barbados (in opposition) both plan to become republics.

What's wrong with the Queen?

Republicanism is not about personalities. A republic improves democracy, affirms our independence and better reflects our history and nationhood. The rules of succession contradict the New Zealand Bill of Rights and Cook Islands Constitution. The Queen, Governor-General and Queen's Representative do not provide effective constitutional safeguards. The idea that the Queen will intervene in a political crisis is a myth. We are a Pacific nation. An ineffective, unelected, foreign Head of State provides no benefits.

What are the choices for the Cook Islands?

There are four options. Become a republic, share the New Zealand Head of State, keep the British Monarch or choose your own hereditary head of state.

What is best for Cook Islands?

That's for voters to decide. The simplest and cheapest republic option is to become a 'parliamentary republic' and replace the Queen's representative with an elected head of state who has clear constitutional powers. The position could either be directly elected or elected by parliament. The other alternative is to retain the British Monarch as Head of State; Queen Elizabeth and then King Charles.

What about the Ui Ariki?

The Ui Ariki could be empowered to act collectively as a constitutional check on parliament. Samoa is a parliamentary republic with the Head of State elected by parliament every five years. All citizens are eligible but leading Matai are the main candidates. A similar system might work here.

Who will decide what happens?

Parliament will need to consult the people. Changing the Head of state requires a two-thirds majority in both parliament and a nationwide referendum so it will be a big issue. In some instances it may be possible to change the terminology, as when 'Premier' became 'Prime Minister' but constitutionally this is all a bigger issue. Either side achieving two-thirds in a referendum will be difficult.

Will New Zealand and Cook Islands remain in free association?

We do not need a constitutional link to remain in free association so there is no reason why it should change. Both countries are committed to it. It may be helpful to sign an updated version of the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration to reaffirm and clarify the relationship. Especially if the Cook Islands remains a monarchy.

Will a republic improve parliament?

The change to a republic improves constitutional oversight of parliament but it won't solve all the problems. Whether it improves standards at parliament will depend on the reserve powers given to the Head of State. A republic could improve democracy but only if good decisions are made and a good republic system is chosen.

Will we get a new flag?

The flag is a separate decision and does not have to change. Voters can choose to keep the flag, remove the Union Jack or adopt a new one.

Does the Cook Islands need its own Republican Movement?

I think so. An elected Head of State will balance the power of parliament so it cannot be left solely to parliament to decide. A cross-party republican Movement working inside and outside parliament would ensure a better standard of debate. A Cook Islands Republican Movement is a good idea.

Any member of the Republican Movement may submit an item to be published in this column - just contact us. All opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not reflect the views and policies of the Republican Movement.

New Editor of Republic

Republic's editorial harness has been taken over by outgoing Salient editor Jackson James Wood. The Republican Movement's Chair, Lewis Holden was startled when he found this out having been usurped seemingly by stealth, or perhaps it was those beers Wood slipped him. Wood is a Victoria University of Wellington Political Science and International relations graduate who enjoys reading,  yoga, writing and long walks on the beach, not necessarily in that order.

Republican Movement News

REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT chair Lewis Holden was interviewed on TVNZ7's late news on Prince Edward's visit to New Zealand.