Above the political fray:
One can see how the jostling for political position in the presidencies of the United States and France creates a stop-start sense of leadership which can at times thrive on base populism and give rise to dictatorships in other places.
A monarchy subjects the inordinate quest for power to a lesser element of governance with the politicians ceremoniously answerable to a supposedly higher authority.
We would lose a lot to becoming a republic, as people feel that we live in a time when people should not be born to positions of privilege. But it seems to me, that any birth is privileged as life is a treasure. Further more, it would seem that if this is a major reason for republican’s support of an NZ republic, then surely it suggests tall poppy syndrome, rather than a desirable need to better this nation.
More than value you can quantify:
http://mlnz.org/cost.asp
Many complain about the cost of the monarchy, well, I would be hard pressed to find any other person or group of people who can market the brand of the nation better than our monarchy. Surely, the money put in to marketing the 'Kiwi', or the 'Silver Fern' to get New Zealanders to buy merchandise would far surpass the amount New Zealanders spend on our monarchy, and for that matter would FAR surpass the amount New Zealanders would pay to purchase those marketed items.
In fact, New Zealanders pay no more than NZD$5m per year - an incredibly small amount considering that would amount to around NZD$1 per person, per year. This money provides space for crowds to view Royals, the general upkeep of our two Government houses, the office of the Governor-General etc. The cost of our Head of State in comparison to the costs of other Heads of State further dwarfs how much we pay.
They are more than good value for money now, for our history past, for our heritage preserved and for our sense of belonging as we look to the future. That position would be wasted on a politician no matter how much of a statesman or woman they may be.
The cost is not the most important piece about the monarchy to me, but the sentimentality of what they mean to NZ have me supporting our constitutional monarchy without reservation.
Even more importantly; at 81; Happy Birthday, Ma’am.
www.geocities.com/cox_nz/
http://mlnz.org/
As for the claim that the British monarchy has been around for 1,000 years, I think you'd better hit the history books. When the English monarchy was founded it certainly wasn't "British", that didn't happen until the reign of King James I, even then the Crowns were totally united until the 1801 Act of Union. The monarchy itself didn't become a fully "constitutional" one until the reign of Queen Victoria, hence the constitutional monarchy. Even then the monarch still had plenty of extra-constitutional powers until the Parliament Act of 1911. The monarchy which you defend is less than 90 or so years old, and really reflects Queen Elizabeth II's attitude to her reign. It's hardly 1,000 years old.
While I don't endorse Ben's offensive remarks, or his approach to this debate, Hayden's argument below is nonsense.
According to Freedom House, of the electoral democracies in the world, two-thirds of them are republics. There's also plenty of constitutional monarchies that have poor records on democracy - Thailand, Lestho, Kuwait, etc. Monarchies can be just as unstable as republics. What's common is that there is little democratic ethos. The same is true in Cambodia and Zimbabwe, each a monarchy and a republic (and there was a coup in Rhodesia in 1965 - hardly a good example of a monarchy).
I don't even know where to begin with Ben's comment, so I won't.
New Zealand is hardly being brought to her knees by Royal decrees.
Some of the most instable, volatile countries in the world are 'democratic' republics who have turned their backs on the wisdom and guidance of the United Kingdom.
Sth. Rhodesia/Zimbabwe would be the perfect example.
Personally I'd say the United States of America isn't much better either, they are killing civilians abroad at the same time as masses of their own are destitute within their own borders.
Why should New Zealand abandon the system that has worked so well for those of British blood for over 1000 years, to replace it with a republican system that fails time and time again throughout the world?
That was deep, Ben. Deep. Bottom of the barrell deep.
I have gone and made a group based off this one on facebook as well
Fuck the queen and fuck monarchy!!
there is hardly a difference between monarchy and a dictatorship!!
Monarchs are inbreed twins and anyone who hails to one is fucked in the head!!
i reckon the queen has bloody well destroyed middle earth altogether
I think the people have come to their senses and have realized that there was NEVER a need for this monarchy and NZ is much better off independent from Britain's weakening monarchy...
We must turn to republicanism ASAP!
SAY NO TO THE BRITISH MONARCHY!
Please watch our new global advertisement calling for hope, tolerance and change as Americans head to the polls.
.
http://www.avaaz.org/en/for_all_of_us
Thank you
where the hell has everybody gone?!
god save the queen
meh, whilst most people are moving into the 21st century, NZ is staying in the 19th... support of the british crown is being complicit in the colonial wrongs of the past. big ups losers
Without stepping on a debating minefield - the Tories and the UK Labour party both stand for the past. You're both failures.
Lewis did a good job with his site
The Republican Movement has launched a website for the future President of New Zealand - www.president.org.nz. As part of this website we're planning on holding a simulated election - but first, we need your nominations for who you think should be New Zealand's first elected head of State - see www.president.org.nz/nominate
Cheers
Lewis Holden
Chair, Republican Movement
Join the Conservative Party group on bebo we are the biggest right of centre page on bebo. We stand for the future, Labour Stands for the past. Join our group debate, have banter and vote in our polls.
Click on link below!!! Become a member now
http://www.bebo.com/Conservatives
Ah yes, very true
Nope, HM's coronation was 2 June. Her reign began on 6th Feb, the day her father passed away.