Should NZ become a republic?

27 Oct 2010 02:03a.m.

Lewis Holden wrote:

As usual John Cox is trotting out complete fallacies regarding the monarchy. According to the NZES study 2008, support for the monarchy was just 48%, while support for a republic was 33%. A 2009 poll by Research NZ put support for the monarchy at 48%, with support for a republic at 42%, this changed following Prince William's visit to 53% monarchy to 32% republic (not to worry though - when William visited in 2005 support for a republic dipped to 27% but recovered thereafter). Moreover support is stronger amongst males, under 25s and Maori. Sadly for John, the old George Bush bogeyman just won't work any more. This is nothing more than scaremongering, as it the "it'll cut us off from our heritage" comment (also where has anyone attacked the Royal family here?). Richard is correct that the general public aren't calling out for a republic. It's a long-term issue. But, ironically, it's not as complex or as expensive as Richard suggests. The academic literature shows that in order to become a republic all that needs to change is our head of state and the name of the corporate sole of the state (i.e. the Crown). How about something more appropriate, and realistic like "The people and Government of New Zealand". Sums it up nicely.

03 Sep 2010 11:01a.m.

Richard Prosser wrote:

There is no real demand amongst New Zealanders for a Republic, in part at least because people don’t trust our politicians to deliver a working constitutional model which would be any better than what we currently have. It’s probably more important that we have some real and effective checks and balances on our systems of Government, such as binding referenda, the direct election of the Prime Minister, and continuous right of recall of any member of Parliament. This would serve us better than simply swapping the Monarchy and the rights and traditions of the Magna Carta for an expensive and politicised Presidency for no real advantage.

However if a move to a republic is going to be regarded as inevitable, then the only structure which makes sense would be to create two republics, with the North Island and South Island becoming separate states within a federation or confederation. We are very different peoples, and becoming more so in terms of demographics, values, and economic activity, and confederation is the only way of ensuring fair representation for both islands.

23 Jan 2010 06:14p.m.

John Cox wrote:

Few people support a republic. Opinion polls generally show at most between 20-30% so inclined. Most of us are happy with the constitutional monarchy.

Sure, we could have a referendum, but the republicans would simply lose. Some say that a republic is inevitable - but nothing is inevitable, nor can that be considered an argument for a republic. Many people though nuclear war was inevitable - did that make it a good idea?

Some say that the system is broken, or criticise one or two members of the royal family. If that is a reason for a change to a republic, was George Bush a reason for America to change back into a monarchy?

Finally, some say that it's about generational change. But that isn't the case either. The majority of all age groups support the status quo.

Finally, the republicans nasty strategy of vicious personal attacks on royalty will mean that they will always be on the extremist fringes of New Zealand politics.

19 Nov 2009 06:37a.m.

David Joblin wrote:

Jonathan.

I agree that in place of "racist" I should have written "elitist". UK society is the most non egalitarian one could possibly find. Most of our ancestors were towards the lower end of the English classes and came here to escape the that system. Let's be honourable to them and never bow down to young Willy. Where is your self respect fellow Kiwis???

02 May 2009 01:55a.m.

jonathan wrote:

David,You quoted =The middle class puts the boot to the lower class. The upper class to the middle. The aristocracy to the upper and the royalty does what it wants when it wants.
I dont see this being racist! The uk has a wide gap between classes due the past conservative government looking after the rich and not the poor.
There were the haves and the have nots.When i grew up there through the seventies,eighties there was a massive recession.3.5 million unemployed.I spent a long time on the dole,miserable.Couldnt find a job.The lower classes became very jealous of the upper classes because the conservative government looked after the rich people and labour the working class.Its always been like that.
Unfortunately,their are racists from all over the world and they all have a low IQ in my opinion.To tarnish a whole nation is a bit rich.
Myself and a block of 15 mates from Cardiff are not racist at all.Take people,one on one,regardless of colour/race,that what i say.cheers

01 May 2009 02:01a.m.

Kevin wrote:

Seriously why fix something when it ain't broken. The system is fine the way it is and the poms don't ask for our taxes and we don't recieve theirs either anyway.

If there ever was a referendum on a NZ republic I will vote NO on the idea. Even though Iam a NZer all the way I would mind pledging allegiance to our future king William anyway. NZ should retain the monarchy as part of our heritage and if we erase that from our history. We lose ourselves in the process.

so why fix something which is not broken???

30 Apr 2009 06:19p.m.

jonathan wrote:

Lewis- I here what you are saying and understand your point.Personally,i dont mind either way but my point is a little off the subject.
When i came here in 1990,it was rock hard to get a work permit.It had to be proved the job could not be done by a kiwi.Throughout all this time,kiwis were allowed a two year work visa,no problem.Even though there was high unemployment in uk..GB still let young kiwis do their OE.So,much so,that kiwis thought it was their god given right.Kiwis in london,would go to the isle of man,go back and get another 2 year visa.Nz Didnt offer a reciprocal agreement at all.When the uk threatened to scrap it,Nz gov suddenly issued 1000 1 year w/permits for brits.Kiwis started whinging that the brits would take our jobs but that wasnt how brits reacted to them(3.5 million unemployed at that time).That fell by the way side.Recently,they threatened to scrap it again and helen clark went there to kiss arse to keep it.I think it is great for young kiwis to be able to do an OE in London but i have always been annoyed that the nz government doesnt offer a similar visa for young brits to come and sample this great country too.That was something about labour,that didnt impress me(Take,take).You cant blame the brits for taking this privlege back,when nothing is done in return.Strangely,they offer these work visas to japanese students!!! there is a bond between uk and nz and auzzie from wartime that brought all these nations together but i can understand nzers and auzzies wanting to grow away from british links.As new generations of people grow up here,the ties will fade away.Cheers

29 Apr 2009 07:56p.m.

Ty Williams wrote:

Oh yes, we owe Mother England our all. After all, they did give us Lord Kitchener. A great military mind that one... :-)

29 Apr 2009 03:15p.m.

anita wrote:

I agree with Jeff. it is our heritage. I believe if we go republic that will be bad for NZ in the long run.

29 Apr 2009 02:16p.m.

Lewis Holden wrote:

Jeff - sorry, republicanism is a cross-partisan issue. I'm hardly what you'd call "left-wing". Further, the system is broken. Anyone - moreover over 40% of New Zealanders now do.

Jonathan - the UK was going to abolish ancestry visas last year, and they've now restricted Commonwealth work visas to one year working, one year traveling. NZ goods have been restricted by UK trade barriers since the UK joined the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. The benefits to NZers from having the Queen are basically nil.

David - hear hear! We wouldn't accept a hereditary captain of the All Blacks, so why do we accept a hereditary head of State - and then appoint a Kiwi to stand in their place? The monarchy is an absurdity - we're able to sensibly choose a Governor-General for ourselves, there's no reason why we couldn't simply make that office a President (as many other Commonwealth countries have successfully done).