The Dominion Post has a series of questions put to the Prime Minister Helen Clark. Craig Williams of Wellington writes:

Are you or are you not in favour of New Zealand becoming a republic? If you are in favour of New Zealand becoming a republic are you prepared to put the issue to the people in the form of a referendum during your upcoming term as Prime Minister? If you are prepared to hold a referendum on republicanism during your upcoming term as Prime Minister and it turns out that most people are in favour of changing our current system will you be prepared to take the first steps towards creating a republic during your next Prime Ministerial term or will you just sit back and wait for Australia to make the first move?
Craig Williams, Wellington

It's 101 years since New Zealand became a Dominion within the then British Empire. Celebrations!

As part of Cultural Mosaic week, AUSA held a discussion called "Changing faces, changing politics?" on the issue of multi-culturalism in New Zealand politics.

Speakers included Dr. Katherine Smits, Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland Political Studies department, Steven Young, President of the New Zealand Chinese Association, and Pansy Wong, MP, New Zealand's first Asian MP.

The New Zealand Herald reports Prince Andrew is in Viet Nam to "help promote more bilateral trade and investment." We all know that actually means that the Prince, in his position as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, is in Viet Nam to push Britain's trade interests (as is their right, of course).

But here's the rub: from New Zealand's perspective, a member of the family that is meant to represent New Zealand is instead representing the United Kingdom's trade and investment interests. This is not in our national interests. Some might call this "narrow nationalism" but it's nothing more than an acceptance of what we all know to be true: the Royal family can only represent Britai. New Zealand's retention of the monarchy is nothing more than a colonial throw-back.

The New New Zealand Passport.

The New Zealand Herald reports our passports have been re-designed. The new design, the first in 16 years, incorporates the native New Zealand flora (and de facto symbol of New Zealand), the Silver Fern. There will probably be accusations of 'republicanism by stealth' by supporters of the status quo - the new design makes the New Zealand coat of arms smaller and thus the Crown.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Rick Barker, stated:

Our current passport is fairly indistinguishable from many others around the world, but the new design has a very distinct Kiwi character, black with an embossed silver fern on the front and rear cover.

Jim Weir's book Strong Language - Very quotable New Zealand quotes has a fascinating quote from former National MP and monarchist Simon Upton:

All the best for the men and women of New Zealand's Olympic team in Beijing.

The Southland Times reports 2008 is the last time the tiny British Overseas Territory of Bermuda will celebrate the Queen's Birthday as an official holiday. Instead, from the country will celebrate National Heroes' Day in October, and Queen's Birthday will not be celebrated in 2009.

The Republican Movement's submission on UnitedFuture's "Stepping Forward" national identity policy discussion document is in the mail to UnitedFuture, and online in our policy papers section.

Thanks to the Republican Movement members who sent their thoughts on this. In the end, our submission suggested that:

• UnitedFuture adopt a policy of supporting an independent inquiry into republicanism; and
• UnitedFuture adopt a policy of supporting a referendum on a republic.

In other words, the Republican Movement strongly put forward our own policies - public education and a referendum on a republic.