Thousands of New Zealanders are required every year to swear allegiance to the Queen, instead of New Zealand. The Republican Movement wants this changed. Most of us never have to swear to the Queen and can miss one of the biggest intrusions on our democracy, but every new citizen, police officer, judge, member of parliament or member of the military must swear an oath (religious) or an affirmation (non-religious) to the Queen.

The Oaths debate is part of the republic debate. The Republican Movement invites you to find out more about the Government's review of oaths and affirmations and the Oaths (Modernisation) Bill.

We believe that people should commit to ideas, such as the rule of law, democracy or the biggest of ideas, "New Zealand". Swearing allegiance to the Queen is unnecessary and meaningless. Australia has managed to move past swearing allegiance to the Queen and so can we, as outlined in our opinion piece.

To add this banner to your website, right click on the image and select "Copy image location". Please link to www.republic.org.nz/oaths

Get involved

We want your feedback - if you've sworn to the Queen recently, or are about to, please contact us.

• Join the Republican Movement
• Link to us - add our banner (right) to your website
• Write a letter to your MP

Resources

• Submission to the Review of Oaths and Affirmations June 2004
• Comparison of Citizenship Oaths

Media

• Blog posts on Oaths and affirmations
• Opinion: Oaths and affirmations
• Media release (10 May 2005): New oaths step in the right direction
• Media release (14 February 2004): Bring the Oaths into the 21st Century