I think you're a little confused. Firstly, the Republican Movement doesn't have a "scheme". It's our policy that the actual model of republic ought to be adopted by New Zealanders, and that change should be by referendum.

Your proposed referendums are exactly the same as Keith Locke's Head of State (Referenda) Bill, which the Republican Movement supports.

A republic with a ceremonial head of state is not the status quo in all but name. An elected head of state would have legitimacy the current Governor-General doesn't have.

Yes although it may make the public nervous and would draw support away from support of the republic. I do not see it unneccessarily bad for public support. Very few republicans I know would support the scheme of this group with New Zealand remaining within the commonwealth and in fact simply retaining the status quo in all but name.

I personally would like two seperate sets of refrendums similar to MMP. The first in a general election eg. 2011 asking if New Zealand wishes to become a republic. The second a set of refrendums(of the first being successful) eg.2014 asking who our head of state should be the options could look like this: ie. the governor general appointed directly by the primeminister, 2) a president appointed by parliament, 3) a president elected through universal sufferage.

It is true that change in the democratic world is usally slow and often tedious but there are ways to bring about 'big bang' sort of changes if that is the publics will.

I'm not opposed to exploring other ideas. But the public won't support extensive changes, particularly if they're drawn out and complex. We're talking about the difference between a sensible evolution and some sort of big bang. That makes people nervous, and more likely to reject *any* change. It's minimal change or nothing, that's the basic reality of democracy.

Yes it would be a long and complicated process but history has proved time and again that setting a clear new constiution with support of more of the people is far more viable in the long-term then making changes to it in the future.eg. issue of gun controll in the United States.

I agree it would be far more complicated however just because something is complicated doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. I disagree that there is 'no need' for provisional government. There has been a recent rise in the South Island independence movement which has over 3000 members, more than this group(I admit more people would support a republic I am just trying to make the point that there is a lot of support out there).

I presume you would want parliament to elect the executive head of state?There will still have to be changes to New Zealand's constitution as a republic but why not adopt or explore other issues which many New Zealanders support. If you are going to reform one area of government why not look at other changes?

As I said before, there's no need for any "provisional" government. Moving to an executive head of state is much more complicated than just electing a new head of state. It would require a drawn-out, consultative process of writing a new Constitution...

I know you have said you do not wish for New Zealand to change its westminster style parliament, and not supporting the US style of government,but I disagree. Although in the past I have been very anti-american,some(and only SOME) of there points of their system I would like to be seen to be carried out. First of all I think provonisal government would bve an issue many NZers support and should come into force and direct presidental election by the elecotrate(STV or run-off not FPP). But cgood on you I appreciate all the effort you have made to this and truly believe it is time for a refrendum.

24 August 2009

The Republican Movement is to launch a new book to coincide with the historic
anniversary of New Zealand's first assertion of its independence from the
British Empire.

"The New Zealand Republic Handbook sets out New Zealand's path
towards a republic," said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican
Movement.

"We're starting a new debate around New Zealand's nationhood, and the
idea that a New Zealander should be our head of state," Mr Holden said.

"Monarchy as an idea has had it, there is no doubt in my mind that the best way
we can head into the future is as a republic," said Keri Hulme, Patron of the
Republican Movement, in the foreword to the book.

The book will be officially launched by Hon. Peter Dunne at Parliament on 23rd
September, days before the 102nd anniversary of New Zealand becoming a dominion.

Advanced sales of the book prior to the launch date are available for $15 at:
http://www.republic.org.nz/republich...

Join? in what?

Join the fight. Join me.

Don't think so?

Probly not.

Thanks dude - are you on our mailing list?

REPUBLIC!!!!!!

Thanks for signing up then :-)

This has been an initiative on New Zealand's board of parliamentary decisions for quite sometime now and I think we are finally at the point of NO RETURN - We move forward now or we don't move at all!
New Zealand has matured rather nicely since the treaty and colonialization and I think now is the time for us to move forward progressively...
Republic for NZ now!

haha yes Ngata and Hillary and Kate Sheppard should replace her

and sir Peter Blake and Rutherford

i'm from the U.K. and i think that Australia, Canada and New Zealand should be freed from an old woman on the back of their coins etc.

wow thanks for the info dude

No, there wouldn't be a transitional government. Parliament would keep operating - the only change would be in the head of State.

Most likely the Governor-General would continue in office, with their position being reconstituted as the head of State. Whether or not that would be the same person would depend on the legislation.