Photogallery and video of Prince Williams' visit

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Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:31p.m.

Republicans protested outside the Supreme Court today as Prince William arrived to open it (NZPA)

Republicans protested outside the Supreme Court today as Prince William arrived to open it (NZPA)

Members of the Republican Movement unfurled a banner stating "It's time for a republic" today outside the Supreme Court in Wellington as Prince William arrived to officially open the building.

The group also mounted a noisy protest when the price arrived at the site, prompting an angry response from supporters of the man who is second in line for the throne.

The demonstration was to highlight that New Zealanders were capable of choosing a head of state of their own, the movement's chairman Lewis Holden said.

"Prince William might be a nice guy, but it should be a New Zealander, chosen by New Zealanders, opening our highest court of appeal."

"It has cost New Zealand taxpayers $200,000 to bring Prince William out to New Zealand.

"Monarchist claims that this figure has been paid off with free advertising are nonsense. Prince William had a gap year in Chile, giving that republic a lot of free publicity. The Queen visited Trinidad and Tobago last year, a republic within the Commonwealth, giving that country free press also," Mr Holden said.

Parliament is set to vote on Green Party MP Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill in March.

NZPA

Watch footage of Prince William arriving at the supreme court, meeting the public, interviews with fans and protesters.

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Comments

19 Jan 2010 01:27p.m.

Alien wrote:

no sam, this is not 200k that could of been spent on health, prison etc as their budgets are already taken care of and would not of under any circumstances got this money. It's actually good money well spent, with Williams trip appearing around the world in the news and entertainment shows getting NZ is well watched time slots without having to pay for it, which should pay itself off with tourism to NZ. But hey, some people just don't realise that you have to spend money to make money and this trip will make money for NZ.

18 Jan 2010 11:30p.m.

Lorraine wrote:

Nice to see Dianas son. Lovely to know we spent money on something nice like this visit instead of putting it into the keeping of prisoners.

18 Jan 2010 11:07p.m.

michael wrote:

you call these messages moderated? all this prince bashing and anti-democracy talk here are way off-topic

18 Jan 2010 11:01p.m.

bill wrote:

anyone who wants a republic should go elsewhere and stop delaying progress, put the bibles down and think for once.

18 Jan 2010 03:52p.m.

sam wrote:

200,000k that could of been spent on education or health,what a waste of money im in full support of a republic as long as we dont get the likes of John key as a head of state!

18 Jan 2010 03:19p.m.

Derek wrote:

These people are the Republican Party of New Zealand, not the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand as the story suggests. This should be rectified.

18 Jan 2010 01:39p.m.

Jan.. wrote:

Prince William's has his own royal family's pennies and pounds we need all our tax payers money towards crimes and corruptions in our country..
Our aim is to stop all this ballshits corruption in this country and before you bring anymore immagrants in..
Get real people Prince William is a handsome Prince with plenty of frills..

18 Jan 2010 12:46p.m.

Craig Young wrote:

I'm sure that Prince William is a pleasant, hard-working young fellow, but shouldn't we have an elected New Zealander as our head of state?