Colin James at the Treaty of Waitangi Debate
Colin James speaking at the Treaty of Waitangi debate tonight on Radio New Zealand (not online yet):
First, the "Crown" is a fiction. Bagehot distinguished 140 years ago between the "dignified", the ceremonial and powerless monarchy, and the "efficient", the powerful cabinet and the bureaucracy. In this fictional Treaty parlance Georgina te Heuheu, Pita Sharples, Tariana Turia and Paula Bennett are both "Maori" and the "Crown". When Sir Mason's scenario-1 republic arrives (which may be beyond his 25-year timeframe) it will become obvious just how fictional the "Crown" has been.
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