I’m speaking to you as a former royalist. That’s right, whilst down here in one of Her Majesty’s many Dominions, I’ve gone over to the over side.
Why? Well having been long torn on the Republic issue (emotionally drawn to royalty – but with no logical or rational justification for being so), republicanism down ‘ere seemed a different matter. What’s the big deal I figured – It’s not as if you’re the ones who have to pay for them – and you only have to see them every couple of years. Republicanism isn’t as big here in NZ as it has been in Australia. For a long time it has been kept off the political agenda by more pressing issues (as is always the case with any constitutional reform; see Lords, House of.).
But regardless of whether one believes in the institution of Monarchy, or in the hereditary principle at all, what swings it for myself is the idea that choosing ones own head of state is a fundamental part of nationhood. Her Majesty may be Queen of New Zealand, but she is not a New Zealander – nor is a monarch of the Windsor line ever likely to be so. SO I’m a New Zealand republican – whilst remaining undecided in the Motherland. For those prone to yelling “traitor” (I often do, it’s rather fun) here’s another fact to sway you: All immigrants to NZ, including those from the UK, are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen as part of becoming a citizen. As a natural-born UK citizen, I have never had to do anything remotely similar to this – not even a reasonable pledge of allegiance to the nation, or to the state, a la USA. It seems somewhat bizarre that were I to repatriate myself halfway across the globe I should have to swear allegiance to one institution I thought I’d left behind.
Despite any banterous and wholly good-natured put downs I may engage in, New Zealand is no longer a colony. It seems entirely appropriate for it to take the final step into full-fledged nationhood that is choosing its own head of state. For an issue that would have left me confused and torn back home, here it seems simple as.
The website of New Zealand Republic can be found here. There is also an obligatory Facebook group.
ukipboy
/ August 22, 2010I understand why some people in NZ want to lose the Queen as head of state but in this times of economic hardship they are quite lucky. They are one of only 12 countries (those countries that have the queen as head of state apart from us) who get a head of state for free, they dont have to pay for her. If they had a president they would have to fork out x amount of dollars to fund him/her. Also if they had a president I would assume he would have to be policital active which they may or maynot want at least with the queen/governer general they have someone who apart from had very unusual times will remain political neutral/above it
comradenash
/ August 24, 2010The Governor General certainly isn’t free – nor is the organisation, security, logistics, etc. associated with any Royal Visit. There’s no reason to imagine why the upkeep for a president would be any more than that for a Governor General if they’d be doing pretty much the same job.
Also from the website of New Zealand Republic:
“the Governor-General costs the New Zealand taxpayer around $7.6 million per annum. The President of Ireland, a country with about the same population as New Zealand and a parliamentary system of government, costs about $6 million per annum. The claim that the monarchy is cheaper is nonsense, as is the claim it’s a better system of government and provides “best possible value”, another subjective claim”
(http://www.republic.org.nz/node/1355)
As for political impartiality – see Governor General Keith Holyoake
ukipboy
/ August 24, 2010Fair play I should have done some research it just occured for me that maybe they didnt have to pay for her. Mind you for UK citizens the Queen comes out cheaper I believe we pay around 82p each for her the irish using your numbers pay 96p
ukipboy
/ August 24, 2010And just checking this keith holyoakes wikipedia page while he ,ight have been a controversial choice he seemed to do a good job and the labour leader said that he would introduce a political allie as GG if they won