Lewis Holden

3 June 2020

Commentary

Palace Letters decision blows head of state debate open

Lewis Holden

3 June 2020

Commentary

Palace Letters decision blows head of state debate open

A landmark decision by Australia’s High Court means that hundreds of letters between the Queen and former Australian Governor-General Sir John Kerr will be released. This decision could have huge implications for the head of state debate in New Zealand

Lewis Holden

29 May 2020

Media Releases

Media Release: Queen’s Birthday Holiday Irrelevant

Lewis Holden

29 May 2020

Media Releases

Media Release: Queen’s Birthday Holiday Irrelevant

The Queen’s Birthday public holiday is irrelevant to modern-day Aotearoa. There are plenty of better alternatives.

Lewis Holden

21 May 2020

Media Releases

Media Release: Matariki public holiday call supported

Lewis Holden

21 May 2020

Media Releases

Media Release: Matariki public holiday call supported

New Zealand Republic welcomes calls to make Matariki a public holiday. We have a petition to parliament to designate a day to be observed every year to mark the Māori New Year

Lewis Holden

20 May 2020

Commentary

Budget 2020: referendum costs

Lewis Holden

20 May 2020

Commentary

Two referendums will be held at the 2020 general election. How much will they cost to run?

Republic NZ

14 May 2020

Commentary

Budget 2020: $9.5m for a de facto head of state

Republic NZ

14 May 2020

Commentary

Budget 2020: $9.5m for a de facto head of state

Budget 2019 reveals that New Zealand taxpayers spend $10m per year on our de facto head of state, the Governor-General. That’s about the same as an actual head of state.

Lewis Holden

11 May 2020

Commentary

The last Governor-General, the first Head of State

Lewis Holden

11 May 2020

Commentary

The last Governor-General, the first Head of State

In most Commonwealth countries, the last Governor-General became the first independent head of state. For New Zealand, that would be a no-brainer.