We believe that a New Zealander should be our head of state. They should be elected democratically and be accountable to all New Zealanders.
These ideas are the heart of republicanism, where power comes from the people. New Zealanders are increasingly supporting a republic. Support has doubled in the last decade, as people realise that our system must change. The reasons for change include:
- bringing our head of state home, to our place;
- signalling our independence and maturity to the world;
- emphasising that power should come from the people;
- clarifying the role and powers of our head of state; and
- erasing the archaic succession rules of the monarchy.
Some of the changes will be symbolic, but symbols matter intensely. Think of your affinity to the silver fern, the kiwi, or the beauty of the pohutukawa in summer time. These things form part of what it is to be a New Zealander.
But no New Zealander can aspire to be our head of state, no matter how much ability they have, no matter how much effort they put in. Instead, a British resident is reserved for that role. The monarchy clashes with our culture, a culture that values egalitarianism and merit. We need to ask how our head of state will be appointed, what they will do, and how they will be held accountable to us.
Our monarch is chosen according to gender, religion and birth. The Sovereign's legal powers are massive, and only constrained by informal understandings, yet politically they are very weak. There is no accountability to the public. These issues will be addressed under a republic.
There is no need to put aside our traditions or rewrite history. We will still be a member of the Commonwealth. We will retain our flag. We will honour the Treaty of Waitangi. We seek to confirm our coming of age as a nation. We are not alone in raising these issues. Other countries are going down the same path as us - Britain, Australia and Canada - while most Commonwealth countries are already republics.
The change to a republic is simple, in law and in practice, but it is a step that we need to take after discussing and understanding each other's views. We should start talking now so that we can elect our first New Zealand head of state.
