15 June 2012

Future-focus good start for Constitutional Advisory Panel

"The Constitutional Advisory Panel's engagement document is a good start at creating public discussion about where we are headed as a country. Its focus on the big questions - such as how our values are reflected in our constitution and where we'll be in 2050 - is great to see" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

The Panel, which is part of the government's Constitutional Review, has today released its engagement strategy. The strategy contains "key focus questions" which focus on "New Zealand in the future."

"New Zealand republicans are unhappy that the issue of a New Zealand republic was taken off the constitutional review's remit. But the focus on where New Zealand will be in 2050 is very welcome" said Mr Holden.

"The New Zealand republic debate won't go away. As the hype around the Diamond Jubilee fades into memory, it's time New Zealanders starting thinking about our future. Once the Queen's reign ends we are certain New Zealanders will worry less about who our head of state is, and more about how they got there" concluded Mr Holden.

The document is online here: http://www2.justice.govt.nz/cap-interim/documents/strategy.pdf

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to:

• involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;
• providing relevant and reliable information;
• focusing on ideas, not personalities;
• winning a referendum to establish the republic;

Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz

ENDS

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