Prince Charles tour highlights lack of Kiwi connection

"The itinerary for the tour of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla is a publicity tour for a foreign dignitary" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

"The tour is a series of photo-ops for Charles to try make himself relevant by associating with highly respected Kiwi veterans, successful New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses. His PR team has made sure they tack on a visit to Christchurch in an attempt to associate the Royals with a re-building effort they have nothing to do with."

"Charles will pay New Zealand compliments and do his best to ingratiate himself with New Zealanders. The tour is full of token gestures such as a reading of Hairy Maclary to primary school students, yet misses important symbolic gestures such as visiting the Treaty grounds at Waitangi or even the heart of our democracy, Parliament."

New Zealand needs a head of State that is able to effectively act as a referee, promote our country overseas and someone elected by New Zealanders. New Zealand needs an effective head of State, not a fly-in fly-out token head of State with a local Kiwi representative does all the actual work.

"The Republican Movement will use Charles' tour to highlight the need for a relevant, effective and fair head of State. We will make it clear that New Zealanders should be given a choice between an elected New Zealander as head of State or an unelected British Prince."

ENDS

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