Republicanism in New Zealand is the movement to abolish the constitutional monarchy in New Zealand and replace it with a republic of New Zealand.

Proponents and Opponents

Interest Groups

There are two main interest groups in the debate;

• Monarchist League of New Zealand - Which opposes any move to a republic;
• Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand - Which supports moves towards a republic.

Party political positions

None of the major political parties currently in Parliament have a policy of creating a republic. Support for a republic appears to be strongest amongst the Green Party. Green MP Keith Locke currently has a Private Member's Bill waiting to be drawn from ballot on the issue. The Mana Maori Motuhake Party included republicanism as part of its policy platform. However, the issue was never raised as Mana Maori Motuhake became a member of the Alliance Party. In April 2005 the Republic Aotearoa New Zealand Party was founded by Kerry Bevin with the specific aim of creating a New Zealand Republic.

History

Early History

• Parihaka
• Republic of Hawera

Bolger and beyond

In 1994, National Prime Minister Jim Bolger caused surprise by suggesting during a general debate that New Zealand become a republic.

"It is my view -- it is a personal view not the Government's view -- that the momentum for change will gather as we identify more with our Asia-Pacific region of the world and as our direct links to Britain decline. But the big reason will be that we want to be independent New Zealanders. This will not happen because of any lack of affection or love for our Queen in London, but because the tide of history is moving in one direction."

In 1996, the Bolger government proposed to end the status of the Privy Council as the country's highest court of appeal. His government ended the awarding of British honours in New Zealand, introducing a New Zealand Honours System. However, Bolger's successor, Jenny Shipley, did not share his enthusiasm for republicanism. Shipley noted during a visit in 1999 of the Princess Royal that "I am an unashamed royal supporter, along with many New Zealanders".

See also

• Constitutional law
• Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Monarchist League of New Zealand
• Australian republicanism
• Australian Republican Movement
• Australians for Constitutional Monarchy

External links

• The Monarchist League of New Zealand
• The Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand
• The Holden Republic A pro-New Zealand republic blog by republican Lewis Holden.