Do you want a republic?
Written By:
- Date published:
7:30 am, October 15th, 2009 - 38 comments
Categories: Parliament, referendum -
Tags: republicanism
Republicanism is a funny issue. Politicians tend to agree that it is inevitable that “at some point” NZ will become a republic, but no one is prepared to take the job on. Well, fate has tilted the table. Yesterday Keith Locke’s bill was drawn from the member’s ballot.
The bill sets out a two-step referendum process on whether to become a republic (see NRT for details). It’s not a radical proposal. The powers of the President would be the same as the present Governor-General. All that would change is that the President would be selected by a different process, and the vestigial ties to the English monarchy would be severed. It is aptly named the “Head of State Referenda Bill”, because that is all it affects.
In my opinion it is well past time for a republic. I hope the government takes the hint from fate and uses this as an opportunity to finally address the issue. But I suspect that it will squash the initiative. One Labour step in this direction, an independent honours system, has already been rolled back. Another step, replacing the Privy Council with our own Supreme Court, met with significant opposition. (How much of that was genuine, and how much part of the faux outrage pantomime that was used so relentlessly to attack the last government?) And of course, Key may well be wary of further antagonising his conservative base, still smarting over the Section 59 referendum and now no doubt the MTS victory over screening the rugby.
So, my guess is that Key will (as usual) punt the issue and have the government vote this bill down. But should he? What do you think – republic – yes, no, or doesn’t this (largely symbolic) change matter?
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- Release: Labour will deliver largest Police service in historyA Labour Government will deliver a further increase of 300 additional frontline Police officers, new ways to crackdown on gangs and strengthen legal protections against stalking and harassment. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens welcome launch of Te Ohu Tāmaki and challenges other parties on housingThe Green Party is welcoming the launch of Te Ohu Tāmaki, and affirms its commitment to clear the social housing waitlist in 5 years - and challenges other parties to say they will do the same. ...2 weeks ago
- National put climate action into reverse gearThe National Party’s plan to install EV chargers while at the same time making it harder for people to buy an EV is bizarre and ridiculous. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Hipkins sets out plan to grow NZ economyLabour leader Chris Hipkins has set out his top five priorities for growing the economy which include ambition for New Zealand to be a global leader in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. ...2 weeks ago
- Former Wellington Mayor Andy Foster To Stand For New Zealand FirstFormer Wellington Mayor Andy Foster has announced he is standing for New Zealand First in the Mana electorate for the upcoming election. “As a former Mayor of our Capital City, Andy has an exceptional resume and level of professional and governance experience that will be an asset to the team.” ...2 weeks ago
- 10 of our favourite Chris Hipkins momentsIt’s Chris Hipkins’ birthday today, and to celebrate we’re taking a look back at some of his most defining moments. During his time at Parliament, he’s led New Zealand through some difficult times, delivered change that will make a real difference to Kiwis' lives, and given us a few laughs. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Show us your costingsRevelations on Newshub tonight that National only got an expert to review their tax plan two days after it was released adds further fuel to the call for Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis to release all costings and advice they have received on it, Labour Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson said. ...3 weeks ago
- National’s climate pledge a jokeToday’s pledge from the National Party to deliver net zero carbon by 2050 is a bad-faith, disingenuous, and empty promise. ...3 weeks ago
- Glenfield Policy AnnouncementNo MP pay rises until essential workers get one first. The pay freeze for parliamentarians is due to end this year, with a hefty pay rise forecasted. The fact is when this announcement was made that Members of Parliament would receive a pay rise, in the middle of an ...3 weeks ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...16 hours ago - Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...18 hours ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...18 hours ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...20 hours ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...21 hours ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...2 days ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...2 days ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...2 days ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...2 days ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...2 days ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...3 days ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...7 days ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...1 week ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...1 week ago
- Government invests in Greymouth’s futureThe Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...1 week ago
- Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ MeetingForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...1 week ago
- PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflationEconomy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...1 week ago
- New cancer centre opens in ChristchurchPrime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...1 week ago
- Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience$12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...2 weeks ago
- New Wildlife Act to better protect native speciesThe 70-year-old Wildlife Act will be replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose legislation to better protect native species and improve biodiversity, Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime has announced. “New species legislation is urgently needed to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis,” Willow-Jean Prime said. “More than 4,000 of our native species are currently ...2 weeks ago
- Further safety initiatives for Auckland City CentreCentral and Local Government are today announcing a range of new measures to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Auckland CBD to complement Police scaling up their presence in the area. “Police have an important role to play in preventing and responding to crime, but there is more ...2 weeks ago
- Govt confirms additional support for Enabling Good LivesThe Government has confirmed $73.7 million over the next four years and a further $40.5m in outyears to continue to transform the disability support system, Minister for Disability Issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan has announced. “The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is a framework which guides positive change for disabled people, ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand gets AAA credit rating from S&PStandard and Poor’s is the latest independent credit rating agency to endorse the Government’s economic management in the face of a deteriorating global economy. S&P affirmed New Zealand’s long term local currency rating at AAA and foreign currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook. It follows Fitch affirming New ...2 weeks ago
- Appointment of Environment Court JudgeChristchurch barrister Kelvin Reid has been appointed as a Judge of the Environment Court and the District Court, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Mr Reid has extensive experience in Resource Management Act issues, including water quality throughout the South Island. He was appointed to the Technical Advisory Group advising the ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s biggest ever emissions reduction project hits milestoneNew Zealand is on track to have greener steel as soon as 2026 with New Zealand Steel’s electric arc furnace project reaching a major milestone today. The Government announced a conditional partnership with New Zealand Steel in May to deliver the country’s largest emissions reduction project to date. Half of ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Paki Leslie Māngai NikoraPokia ana te tihi Taiarahia e Hine-Pūkohu-rangi Hotu kau ana te manawa! Horahia ana te whārua o Ruātoki e te kapua pouri Tikaro rawahia ko te whatumanawa! Rere whakamuri kau ana te awa o Hinemataroa Ki te kawe i te rongo ki te mātāpuna i nga pōngaihu Maungapōhatu, tuohu ...2 weeks ago
- 50,000 charges laid in crack down on gangsPolice Minister Ginny Andersen has today congratulated Police in their efforts to crack down on gangs, after laying 50,000 charges against gang members and their associates through the hugely successful Operation Cobalt. As at 31 August, Police have: Laid 50,396 criminal charges against gang members and their associates Issued 64,524 ...2 weeks ago
- Farmers and cyclone-affected properties supported with tax rule changesThe Government has confirmed details of the tax changes to the bright-line test for cyclone-damaged properties, with the release of the required legislative amendments. Revenue Minister Barbara Edmonds has released a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) to be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee in the next Parliament, as it ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand wins CPTPP dispute against CanadaMinister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor has welcomed the CPTPP Panel’s ruling in favour of New Zealand in our dispute against Canada, a significant win for our primary sector exporters. The Panel found that Canada’s dairy quota administration is inconsistent with its obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive ...2 weeks ago
- New intensive turnaround programme launched to break the cycle of offendingThe next phase of the Government’s response to youth crime is underway, with an intensive programme for the country’s most prolific young offenders launched today in Auckland, Minister for Children Kelvin Davis said. The programme, announced by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in July, will see up to 60 recidivist young ...2 weeks ago
- Government extends report date for COVID inquiryThe Government has agreed to a request from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 for extra three months to deliver its final report. The Royal Commission was established in 2022 to strengthen New Zealand’s preparedness for any future pandemics. It was originally due to conclude mid-2024. “The Commission has ...2 weeks ago
- Wainuiomata school property upgrade making great progressThe Wainuiomata High School redevelopment is making great progress, with two more classroom blocks set to be complete by the end of the month, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. The Prime Minister visited today to see first-hand the progress of the redevelopment which is continuing at pace and is ...2 weeks ago
- Language week focuses on sustaining Lea Faka-TongaNew Zealand’s Tongan community are coming together to promote language sustainability this week, as Uike Lea Faka-Tonga – Tongan Language Week begins. “For our Pacific communities, language is more than just a means of communication. It’s an important way to link generations and maintain connections to our ancestral roots,” Barbara ...3 weeks ago
- Raw Politics: Hipkins' strange failure to fire
This week on the Raw Politics podcast: We ask why Labour leader Chris Hipkins has failed to fire, as his party would have hoped, in this campaign so far. Plus: this week's debate, the latest polls and how relatively good economic news changes things in the run-up to election day. ...1 hour ago - Minor parties get fired up over crime and punishment
Crime has been one of the dominant themes of this election campaign and it proved to be the hot button in the second televised debate this week. As Mark Jennings writes, the leaders of the minor parties were taking no prisoners in their battle for crucial votes. TV Viewers interested ...2 hours ago - The Prime Ministerial peril of changing horses mid-stream
To lead Labour to victory, Chris Hipkins would have to repeat a unique feat ...2 hours ago - Mayor Brown's Auckland Deal is the real deal
Mayor is right when he says a new relationship between government and the council is required ...2 hours ago - Govt suggests barring development in climate-exposed areas
New National Policy Statement prioritises nature-based adaptation. ...2 hours ago - Daily crossword, Friday 22 September
...2 hours ago - Peters predicts being in government and a pre-Xmas mini-Budget
Winston Peters is predicting a mini-Budget before Christmas and says it will come from a government his party will help form with 'like-minded parties' after the election It was an eclectic and unexpected mix of current and former politicians who fronted the Business North Harbour finance debate on Thursday. Initially billed ...2 hours ago - Electorates to watch: Candidates fight for face time in Whanganui
Candidates are working hard to get better known ahead of the election ...2 hours ago - Return of the Ferns
Football, netball, cricket and rugby - it's all on for Kiwi women's sports teams across the globe this weekend. Merryn Anderson gives the lowdown on all the Ferns action. Did you think, with the wave of World Cups receding from our shores, women's sport was about ...2 hours ago - A bright idea for Naseby
A tiny town in Central Otago that's already on the world map – for something a little different – is set to notch up another first in a few weeks if its sky high ambitions go to plan. Not content with its world famous curling rink to draw visitors, Naseby, population ...2 hours ago - I don't want Te Pāti Māori choosing my electoral roll
The Māori party is attempting to take us back to 1975 when Māori did not have a choice ...2 hours ago - The major health crisis ignored by election campaigns
Former MP laments lack of aged care policy in the 2023 election ...2 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 September
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...3 hours ago - Ikaroa-Rāwhiti: Labour defector Meka Whaitiri trails in latest poll
A third of voters remain undecided in the Māori electorate of Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, a new poll is showing. ...8 hours ago - Grattan on Friday: Albanese government faces an uphill road and angry locals as it drives change to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Fire fear is gripping many Australians, with extremely high temperatures for September. One day this week some 20 schools on the New South Wales south coast were closed, amid rising weather risk. Sydney national parks ...9 hours ago - Cracks appear soon after show of unity from ACT, NZ First leadersAnalysis: David Seymour and Winston Peters indicated they could work together in government, but then went on to undermine each other in a lively debate. ...9 hours ago
- A Game Of Two Halves In Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
The Māori electorate of Ikaroa-Rāwhiti is anyone’s game where a third of voters are yet to choose their candidate. Ikaroa-Rāwhiti was flung open when former Labour minister, Meka Whaitiri, switched to Te Pāti Māori in May. A Whakaata Māori exclusive ...10 hours ago - Marama battles a fly, Winston gets heckled
While I’m sure the live broadcast is absolutely riveting, there’s something fun about sitting on a truly uncomfortable bench to watch the debate live. And there have already been a few moments that might not have made the telly. First up: Marama Davidson had a brief run in with a ...11 hours ago - Courts clogged by self-represented litigants, lawyers say; solutions proposedThe number of people representing themselves in civil cases has grown enormously in the past decade, prompting calls to relieve pressure on the court system. ...11 hours ago
- The Act-NZ First grand coalitionThe first section of tonight’s Newshub Nation Powerbrokers debate focused on co-governance, proving that mortal enemies David Seymour and Winston Peters may have more in common than they once thought. An early answer from Seymour prompted a quick eye roll from the Greens’ Marama Davidson, with Te Pāti Māori’s Debbie ...11 hours ago
- Coming up: The minor parties go head to headNewshub’s live Powerbrokers debate is at 7.30pm – and we couldn’t be more excited. A couple of us are in the studio as it all plays out and we’ll keep you up to date on any important moments. Because we’ve heard a lot from the Chrises on this campaign, but ...12 hours ago
- View from The Hill: Josh Frydenberg puts political ambition aside to remain in businessSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s decision to put a business future before an attempted political revival is a blow for the Liberal Party, but a relief for the teal member for Kooyong, Monique Ryan. Opposition ...13 hours ago
- Election 2023: Sarah Pallett, Hamish Campbell and Raf Manji vye for Ilam's voteIlam's candidates are out campaigning for the public's vote, an electorate with a split voter base. ...13 hours ago
- Chris Luxon stands firm on spilling any more beans on policy trade-offs ahead of electionNational's leader won't make clear post-election negotiation trade-offs his party might make beyond what's already been indicated. ...14 hours ago
- 'Shattered': Māori health board head says National plans a huge step backThe head of Te Punanga Ora says National's policies for changes to Māori health partnership boards would 'lock in' poorer health for whānau. ...14 hours ago
- How did Taylor Swift get so popular? She never goes out of styleSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Pattison, PhD Candidate, RMIT University Last week, USA Today/Gannett posted a job ad for a Taylor Swift reporter, seeking an experienced journalist and content creator to “capture the music and cultural impact of Taylor Swift”. It’s not the first time ...14 hours ago
- Excessive screen time can affect young people’s emotional developmentSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Sharman, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of the Sunshine Coast Shutterstock A recent Beyond Blue survey of more than 2,000 teachers identified mental ill-health and excessive screen time as the biggest problems facing their students. Comments from teachers ...15 hours ago
- A COVID inquiry has been announced. But is COVID still a thing? Do I need a booster?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Toole, Associate Principal Research Fellow, Burnet Institute Shutterstock Today’s announcement of an independent inquiry into Australia’s COVID response will examine how we’ve handled the pandemic and how we could better prepare for the next one.But ...15 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt on the challenges universities fac...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australia’s higher education sector is under heavy scrutiny. Still recovering from the impact of COVID and criticised for its treatment of staff, it faces strong pressures to step up its performance. The government launched a ...15 hours ago- NZ election 2023: Dear NZ, our foundations are in ruin and there’s no political courage for tomor...
COMMENTARY: By Martyn Bradbury Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition – and poll leader — National Party’s three biggest donors have a combined net worth of $15 billion. The bottom 50 percent of NZ has $23 billion. The top 5 percent of New Zealanders own roughly 50 percent of New Zealand’s wealth, ...15 hours ago- Australia has officially given up on eradicating the Varroa mite. Now what?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cooper Schouten, Project Manager – Bees for Sustainable Livelihoods, Southern Cross University Varroa mites on drone pupae. Cooper Schouten/Southern Cross University, CC BY-SA The federal government body in charge of pest control has announced Australia will abandon efforts on eradicating the Varroa ...16 hours ago- Taxpayers' Union Welcomes ACTs Revised Alternative Budget
Commenting on the updates to ACT’s alternative budget, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “The only true tax cut is a spending cut, and we welcome ACT’s commitment to tackling the damage caused by 6 years of Labour’s dangerous ...16 hours ago- Moana Maniapoto challenges Winston Peters on campaign rhetoric
An interview that I missed earlier in the week that’s been doing the rounds on social media today. It’s a good watch. ...16 hours ago- Christmas Presents Head Off To Deployed New Zealand Defence Force Personnel
Thanks to the RNZRSA, a small piece of New Zealand is on its way to every member of the New Zealand Defence Force that will be deployed overseas this Christmas. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2309/f4d24df4a1eb9d163b51.jpeg" ...16 hours ago- From ‘pebble in the shoe’ to future power broker – the rise and rise of te Pāti Māori
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Annie Te One, Lecturer in Māori Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington In his maiden speech to parliament in 2020, te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told his fellow MPs: You know what it feels like to have ...16 hours ago- Net zero by 2050? Too late. Australia must aim for 2035
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University Shutterstock This year’s heightened drumbeat of extreme weather shows us how little time we actually have to slash emissions. It is now clear that going ...16 hours ago- PNG’s immigration boss warns foreigners after arrest of NZ citizen
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s chief Immigration boss Stanis Hulahau has warned all foreign nationals in the country that the office will not hesitate to detain and expel them if found engaging in criminal and illegal activities. Chief executive Hulahau issued the stern warning to all foreign nationals in the ...16 hours ago- The door knocking experience that made Hinurewa te Hau smile
In the build up to October 14, we’ve asked a smattering of MPs and candidates from across the country for their favourite door knocking story from the campaign. Today: National’s candidate for the Māori seat of Tāmaki Makaurau, Hinurewa te Hau. We are door knocking the Māori seat of Tāmaki ...16 hours ago- Newsletter: September 21 2023 – Items of interest and importance today
New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. NZ Politics Daily: 21 September 2023 COALITION ARRANGEMENTS Felix Desmarais (1News): Kiwis want to know if Luxon will work with Peters Chris Trotter: Calling the ...16 hours ago- Orange Roughy Catch Limit A Good Start, But Seamount Trawling Ban Necessary, Say Environmentalists
Environmentalists have welcomed news that the orange roughy catch will be cut by 40%, but say the need for a bottom trawling ban on seamounts is more urgent than ever. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking announced a cut to the orange ...17 hours ago- WorkSafe Job Losses Another Reminder Of Risks To Public Services This Election
Working people will bear the brunt of WorkSafe’s proposal for a deep and wide restructuring that was announced today said the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. “Reducing WorkSafe’s capacity and capability is the wrong thing to be undertaking ...17 hours ago- Curious Kids: what came first, the chicken or the egg?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ellen K. Mather, Adjunct Associate Lecturer in Palaeontology, Flinders University Shutterstock/Edited by The Conversation What came first, the chicken or the egg? — Grace, age 12, Melbourne Hi Grace! Thanks for this great question. It’s an age-old dilemma ...17 hours ago- Government Penalises Sustainable Forestry In The ETS
The government announced today that it will impose an annual $30 per hectare charge on forestry projects that use exotic trees in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This will be another nail in the coffin of sustainable forestry and climate action ...17 hours ago- Health And Safety Of Workers At Risk With WorkSafe Restructuring Proposal
Workplaces will be less safe following WorkSafe’s decision to significantly restructure the organisation, says the Public Service Association. WorkSafe today unveiled restructuring plans which, if implemented, would significantly impact the organisation’s workforce, ...17 hours ago- I started reading Dan Carter’s self-help book for a joke. I finished it a changed man
The Art of Winning has been on the bestseller list for over a month now. Sam Brooks, who is only vaguely familiar with the concept of Dan Carter, reviews – and is surprised by what he finds. I have never, in my life, seen a minute of Dan Carter playing ...17 hours ago- I started reading Dan Carter’s self-help book for a joke. I finished it a changed man
The Art of Winning has been on the bestseller list for over a month now. Sam Brooks, who is only vaguely familiar with the concept of Dan Carter, reviews – and is surprised by what he finds. I have never, in my life, seen a minute of Dan Carter playing ...17 hours ago- Act revises proposed tax cuts after Prefu
The Act Party has adjusted its alternative budget after last week’s pre-election fiscal update (Prefu). It’s seen the party amend its proposed tax cuts, which would now be phased in over a period between 2023 and 2027. The lowest tax rate would still be adjusted to 17.5%, applying to all ...17 hours ago- Act revises proposed tax cuts after Prefu
The Act Party has adjusted its alternative budget after last week’s pre-election fiscal update (Prefu). It’s seen the party amend its proposed tax cuts, which would now be phased in over a period between 2023 and 2027. The lowest tax rate would still be adjusted to 17.5%, applying to all ...17 hours ago- Stripping Russia’s veto power on the Security Council is all but impossible. Perhaps we should exp...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tamsin Phillipa Paige, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has lambasted the UN Security Council yet again, saying in a speech this week that as long as Russia has veto power on the body, it will remain powerless to do ...17 hours ago- Watch: ACT leader David Seymour reveals alternative budget
ACT has unveiled changes to its alternative budget, including softening its tax cuts, delaying its defence funding boost, and speeding up superannuation age rises. ...17 hours ago- Watch: ACT leader David Seymour reveals alternative budget
ACT has unveiled changes to its alternative budget, including softening its tax cuts, delaying its defence funding boost, and speeding up superannuation age rises. ...17 hours ago- National’s peaked in the polls, claims Hipkins
Chris Hipkins has conjured up a new attack line related to National’s poll performance: they’ve peaked. Speaking to reporters in Napier, the Labour leader was asked to comment on the latest 1News Verian poll released last night. It showed National 10 points ahead of Labour on 37% to 27%. But ...17 hours ago- National’s peaked in the polls, claims Hipkins
Chris Hipkins has conjured up a new attack line related to National’s poll performance: they’ve peaked. Speaking to reporters in Napier, the Labour leader was asked to comment on the latest 1News Verian poll released last night. It showed National 10 points ahead of Labour on 37% to 27%. But ...17 hours ago- Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes National’s Plan To Revive The International Education Sector
Responding to National’s four step plan to boost international enrolments across Tertiary Education Institutions, Taxpayers' Union Deputy Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy said: “At a time when universities all over the country are reporting crushing ...18 hours ago- Cost Recovery Bill Of More Than $14 Million A Year Another Kneecap For Forestry
The Forest Owners Association (FOA) says the just announced cost recovery scheme for the Emissions Trading Scheme is another government disincentive to plant forests just when they are most needed. President Grant Dodson says the huge jump to a more ...18 hours ago- Are Australia’s roads becoming more dangerous? Here’s what the data says
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Stevenson, Professor of Urban Transport and Public Health, The University of Melbourne In 2022, there were nearly 1,200 road crash deaths in Australia – a figure that has remained largely the same over the past decade. However, some states and territories ...18 hours ago- Election 2023: Law and order debate sees fiery clash of policy
"They're crook ... but they hold people up with a silver pen rather than a gun." ...18 hours ago- Election 2023: Law and order debate sees fiery clash of policy
"They're crook ... but they hold people up with a silver pen rather than a gun." ...18 hours ago- Zero alcohol doesn’t mean zero risk – how marketing and blurred lines can be drinking triggers
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I’d go for it doesn’t really matter.
If the question is to be asked tack it onto the next general election so we don’t have to flush millions down the toilet running a referendum.
Re the privy council/supreme court IMO that was a much different issue and rested on whether we believe a NZ supreme court and the judges thereon have as much legal nouse as what we could access in the privy council.
The cost is millions whether you do it at election time or not. You appear to have bought into a rather transparent bit of spin there my friend.
I think you’ll find that running them at exactly the same time would deliver significant savings.
The Chief Electoral Officer disagrees. As does the Ministry of Justice.
If there are no cost savings to be had holding a referendum at the same time as a general election you have to think that these people are incapable of holding a piss up in a brewery.
Of course there are cost savings – just not very significant ones as you suggested.
From memory the estimates in the official advice were around 5 – 7 mil for a referendum at the general election and around 6 – 8 for a standalone referendum.
The advice also noted that holding a referendum at the general election in 1999 created a lot of extra work for those working at the polling booths and considerably slowed the whole process.
The only advantage I can see is that you probably get higher rates of participation but that doesn’t mean that anyone is any better informed about the issue.
There may well be other arguments in favour on holding referenda at a general election, but “significant savings” just isn’t one of them. A couple of million every what – nine years? Quick, better hire a team of purchase advisors to have a look at that, eh?
I think that some of the cost is for eductaing the masses on the topic, TV & Radio will be wall to wall public advertising.
With a review on MMP and then this + voting. It will be far to confusing. I may mix up my votes. All this and a RWC, perhaps that is why there is a joint bid by the TV stations (Master stroke by JK) we can have all the political stuf at 1/2 time think of the absorbition rates. I hope that they also include on the referendum Who should be the next coach.
/facepalm
You need to hire more people to do the extra counting making the cost savings insignificant.
The private members bills that have been drawn from the ballot this year have been fascinating. It is hilarious how the bill that will cause the most embarrassment to the government seem to be picked. It is good to see this trend continuing.
Roll on the republic. Why we should have as our head of state someone on the opposite side of the world whose only qualification is being born in the right family is beyond me.
If we really want a pluralistic society where worth is measured by ability and where privilege is a thing of the past then we should start at the top.
In favour of Republic, myself but it won’t get past the NZ public for mny years yet. The Honours system debacle illustrated this very clearly. The people waned to bow and scrape to a Sir or Dame in their St.. They still love “their” queen. Unfortunately I think the referendums will be a giant waste of money.
Yes please. We’re mature enough as a nation to stand on our own. We’re not “Little Englanders” any more.
And anything that pisses off conservative types must be a good thing…
No. Not until Maori say the Treaty of Waitangi is being honoured in law and in spirit.
Interesting. Please elaborate. Does the “Crown” really have any practical impact on treaty issues or is it purely symbolic?
Could not this be handled by a special clause in whatever legislation is passed such that the Republic has all the same treaty obligations as the Crown?
No doubt there are all sorts of clever little legal mechanisms, but why water down the original agreement. Need I remind you:
We’re still waiting.
It’s a complete myth that Ti Tiriti is in any way a personal treaty between the Windsor descendants and Maori. Hobson was a delegate from the quasi-elected British government, and the treaty was between Maori and the government of Britain – and hence its successors.
“The Crown” is simply shorthand for that government. Today, ‘the Crown” is the Government of New Zealand, acting as a legal person. When we become a republic, The Crown will simply be replaced by “The Republic Of New Zealand” or similar words.
its time for us to have a short clear debate about some people’s need to continually suck on the pap of ‘mother england’. As an immigrant from Scotland, having to give an oath of allegiance to the Queen rather than the people of New Zealand at my citizenship ceremony was the only thing that made me uncomfortable on a very proud day. Time for change was the cry of the media before the last election – now is time for a real change. Time for a Republic of Aotearoa….
There are, unfortunately, always some people who want to look to higher authority. They’re almost always conservatives.
Absolutely, but then I am the Chair of the Republican Movement 🙂
OK, but as long as I get to be President For Life
You can never go past Monty Python for succinct ridicule of privilege. This is from Monty Python and the Holy Grail:
ARTHUR Well … I AM king.
DENNIS Oh, very nice. King, eh! I expect you’ve got a palace and fine clothes and courtiers and plenty of food. And how d’you get that? By exploiting the workers! By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the social and economic differences in our society! If there’s EVER going to be any progress …
OLD WOMAN Dennis! There’s some lovely filth down here … Oh! how d’you do?
ARTHUR How d’you do, good lady … I am Arthur, King of the Britons … can you tell me who lives in that castle?
OLD WOMAN King of the WHO?
ARTHUR The Britons.
OLD WOMAN Who are the Britons?
ARTHUR All of us are … we are all Britons and I am your king ….
OLD WOMAN Ooooh! I didn’t know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective …
DENNIS You’re fooling yourself. We’re living in a dictatorship, A self-perpetuating autocracy in which the working classes …
OLD WOMAN There you are, bringing class into it again …
DENNIS That’s what it’s all about … If only –
ARTHUR Please, please good people. I am in haste. What knight lives in that castle?
OLD WOMAN No one live there.
ARTHUR Well, who is your lord?
OLD WOMAN We don’t have a lord.
ARTHUR What?
DENNIS I told you, We’re an anarcho-syndicalist commune, we take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week.
ARTHUR Yes.
DENNIS But all the decision of that officer …
ARTHUR Yes, I see.
DENNIS … must be approved at a bi-weekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs.
ARTHUR Be quiet!
DENNIS … but a two-thirds majority …
ARTHUR Be quiet! I order you to shut up.
OLD WOMAN Order, eh — who does he think he is?
ARTHUR I am your king!
OLD WOMAN Well, I didn’t vote for you.
ARTHUR You don’t vote for kings.
OLD WOMAN Well, how did you become king, then?
ARTHUR The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held Excalibur aloft from the bosom of the water to signify by Divine Providence … that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur … That is why I am your king!
OLD WOMAN Is Frank in? He’d be able to deal with this one.
DENNIS Look, strange women lying on their backs in ponds handing out swords … that’s no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
ARTHUR Be quiet!
DENNIS You can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
ARTHUR Shut up!
DENNIS I mean, if I went around saying I was an Emperor because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, people would put me away!
ARTHUR (Grabbing him by the collar) Shut up, will you. Shut up!
DENNIS Ah! NOW … we see the violence inherent in the system.
ARTHUR Shut up!
DENNIS (calling) Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help, help, I’m being repressed!
Brilliant Micky. Says it all.
However I am sure that John Key’s third wish was to be a Sir. There is no way that he would jeopardise that!
I honestly can’t decide either way, what I do find intriguing is why the right are so keen for it at times. Presumably becoming a republic would entail some kind of constitution and a court that has power over parliament. I wonder what a court might say about the Treaty of Waitangi?
Becoming a republic doesn’t necessitate a written constitution. This bill leaves our government unchanged.
We already have a constitution, which includes the Treaty of Waitangi. It’s just not a single codified document.
I dont know which is best.
With the current system we have a stable head of state (not the person – the instituion); it really, really cheap; its non-political and the system is respected.
Its also -at first glance – apparently anachronistic. But a bit of examaination shows that the Commonwealth has been pretty successful as an organisation (it certainly has a lot more repect that the increasingly corrput UN) and its hard to find examples of where the current system has gone wrong.
Im uncertain about what method we would use to run a republic however. It would inevitably involve heaps of politics and to be frank Im not that impressed with the various republics around the world. Why would we run ours any better. (you have to exclude Australia and Canada from the comparison list – as they are really an association of states rather than a single country. Candian states can dis-associate if they wanted to by vote. Australian states have their own Governor General – except the NT and canberra and a couple of other bits)
Then we are left with:
Japan – corruptiuon and neoptism
USA – enough said (not a lot to aspire to in the US system)
China – did you say human rights?
France – possible, but their restaurants close for lunch.
Germany – mmmmm. Theyd follow hitler if he came back.
Italy – yea – right.
Most of Latin America – No thanks
India – did you say human rights again?
Russia – see china and india and pakistan and afganistan and most arab states.
most of Africa – Ah – now heres some opportunities for – well almost evrything thats wrong with the human race.
You see – not a lot to get excited about here in regard to how republics actually turn out despite the best intentions.
Except switzerland – where they vote for almost everything – even for the acceptance of new residents into your canton. But that would never work here – It would mean that we would effectively have compulsory and binding referendum – and that wouldnt do.
So I cant see what there is to gain in the short run. Maori wont allow it anyway.
Are you trying to be funny, or just a racist cunt?
Hi Rich – nice to see such considered and thoughtful comment from you. Theres nothing like the truth to upset some people is there.
Oh – by the way – I’d check your medication – its not working.
Cheers.
This must be you before the sex change, eh barry?
Looks like he’s not trying to be funny then…
Racist ? ….. looks pretty much bang on to me.
Eventually, we’ll run out of monarchs. The Windsors will fail to produce a succesor who isn’t criminal, gay (nothing wrong with that as far as I’m concerned, but the Sun would disagree) or with a florid psychiatric illness.
So the Brits (or the English, because they might be the only ones left) will suddenly have to scrabble with an alternative to monarchy, and come up with an appointed president or some such.
We’ll then suddenly have to wake up and find ourselves a 21st century form of government, because (as happened with the Statute of Westminster) the colonial option will have been taken away from us.
Heck I would like a republic and a President, we should adopt the American system.
Even America doesn’t impose the American system anymore when it rebuilds countries it’s invaded.
The American system is terrible in oh so many ways. The executive presidency has been and continues to be a constitutional disaster that, at best, some presidents choose not to abuse.
One of the big PR problems of republicanism is getting people to not associate it with the american executive-presidency arrangement.
Ugh no way would I want the American system! I’d prefer the Icelandic one, which seems to be what Keith Locke is suggesting. Nothing too radicle, but a change all the same.
It’ll probably happen once we’ve had to put King Charles’ mug on our coins.
How would the US system even work in a country as small as NZ?
Would the regional councils become States?
I think Brett really means he wants more country & western bars and grid iron teams. (He also thinks it means we’d have Obama as our president.)
According to Machiavelli we should go with either Sparta (Greens may not support the Militiary and the “Maleness” of the society, but their non ownership and communial living may get a tick) or the Venician style (Also Greens may not agree on the immigration concept of both!). We tried Rogernomics as a theory put into practice why not try a Political theory to see if it will fly?