The 2002 Royal Tour was the Queen's 10th visit to New Zealand in the 50 years of Her Majesty's reign, highlighting the part-time nature of the role for the Queen. It was originally planned for late 2001, but was rescheduled after post September 11 security concerns.

The Republican Movement billed the original tour as the Queen's farewell tour (see July 2001 edition of Republic) and we stand by that judgment. The Republican Movement has distributed a media release and will post references to other releases during the visit as they are put up on the site. The Department of Internal Affairs has produced an informative but basic web site for the visit, which includes the itinerary. The media has carried several stories on the visit, including several stories from TVNZ.

Links

• Department of Internal Affairs - Royal Tour website
• Colin James: Time to Change our national symbols? - 19 February 2002

Media

• Queen arrives in New Zealand - TVNZ: 21 February 2002
• Low turnout to Welcome the Queen - TVNZ: 22 February 2002
• Clark stirs up republic debate - TVNZ: 23 February 2002
• Queen alludes to New Zealand republic - TVNZ: 25 February 2002
  
• Address to State Dinner for Queen Elizabeth II - Rt Hon Helen Clark: 25 February 2002
• Royal Tours draws to a close - TVNZ: 26 February 2002