8 March 2005

Prince Charles Supports NZ becoming a Republic

The Republican Movement of New Zealand welcomes the disclosure in today’s New Zealand Herald that the Prince of Wales supports New Zealand becoming a republic, and that such a move would be a “great relief”.

Republican Movement president Dave Guerin said “We can only agree 100% with Prince Charles that New Zealand should have our own ‘completely independent head of state’ as he apparently stated to Chris Laidlaw.”

“We will ask the select committee looking into constitutional arrangements, chaired by Peter Dunne, to consider this issue. We will also write to the Prime Minister asking her to look into the implications of our future head of state having expressly stated his concerns about carrying out the role. The government may need to bring forward consideration of a republic.”

“Prince Charles has shown stunning perception in highlighting some of the reasons for New Zealand to become a republic such as how inappropriate it would be for him to get involved in constitutional disputes in New Zealand.”

“It is almost unprecedented for a future monarch to state he supports a country becoming a republic. The fact Prince Charles has done so shows how powerful the argument for change is.”

Mr Guerin concluded, “it would be an awful irony if Prince Charles was forced to become King of New Zealand, against his own wishes. We should take on board what he has said, and commence a national debate on how best to have an independent New Zealand head of state.”

Chris Laidlaw’s column can be found at: www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=466&ObjectID=10114009.

ENDS

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