Republic Inquiry And Referendum Process

Around 40% of New Zealanders support New Zealand becoming a republic. This topic is for the development of a Bill that will provide for a process that will:

1. Provide for a simple "yes" "no" non-binding referendum on establishing an inquiry into the republic issue. If the proposition receives a majority of "yes" votes, then;
2. An Official Inquiry into republicanism will be established
3. The recommendations of the Inquiry will then be put to a final, binding referendum.

Questions for the Inquiry to consider:

- If New Zealand becomes a republic, what are the constitutional implications for the Treaty of Waitangi?
- If New Zealand becomes a republic, what model should it follow?

The inquiry will make recommendations on each of these issues, and draft the necessary legislation to give effect to them.

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References:

Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill
Keith Locke's Head of State (Referenda) Bill

Ari54 27 May 2009 20:30

I don't see why we shouldn't just have the inquiry anyway given how fast public opinion is shifting on this- in another decade monarchists will probably be just outnumbered.

- If New Zealand becomes a republic, what model should it follow?

This is the important bit.

- If New Zealand becomes a republic, what are the constitutional implications for the Treaty of Waitangi?

This isn't. We can go ahead and codify it into our constitution if anyone's in the slightest doubt it will still imply. The real question seems to me to be:

"Is the Treaty of Waitangi enough to establish a republic with racial equality, or do we need extra measures in the constitution?"

Lewis Holden 28 May 2009 02:00

Hmmm. I added the Treaty question simply because it's something raised in the debate continually.

The likelihood of any inquiry under the current government is very slim. I think it's more likely we'd elect the next Governor-General, so that's where my priorities lie.

Re:

Ari54 28 May 2009 10:25

I find it quite hilarious that with an obstructionist government on this issue it's so difficult to get an inquiry. Clearly Key doesn't yet realise that meetings are where ideas go to die. ;)