Media Release – 4 April 2001

The Last Governor-General?

“Republicans welcome Dame Silvia Cartwright as probably the last governor-general in New Zealand,” said Dave Guerin, Republican Movement president.

“With support increasing every year, the majority of New Zealanders will support a republic within 2 or 3 years. When that happens, we will be able to choose talented New Zealanders, such as Dame Silvia, for our top job.”

Support for a republic was only at 28% in 1995, before the last governor-general was appointed (NBR/UMR Insight Poll conducted November 1995). The latest polling, just after Christmas, showed support at 40% and the monarchy rating only 47% support (NZ Herald/Digi-Poll published 26 December 2000). In August 2000, most New Zealanders said that we would become a republic, with support breaking 50% for the first time ever (NBR/UMR Insight Poll conducted August 2000).

“Sir Michael Hardie-Boys admitted a couple of weeks ago that ‘the governor-general makes his own decisions without asking permission from Buckingham Palace.’ If that’s true, what’s the point of keeping the monarchy?”

“Most people hardly notice the monarchy, mainly because the Queen’s message at Christmas is the only time each year that she talks to us – and we can’t talk back. The monarchy is no longer relevant to New Zealand. Would more than 10% of people under 40 even know the words to God Save the Queen?”

ENDS
Contact Dave Guerin on 021 404 334

The Republican Movement wants a republic to replace the monarchy in New Zealand with a democratically-elected New Zealander as our head of state. A republic will truly represent our unique culture and our place in the world as an independent nation.
We are committed to:
- maintaining Treaty of Waitangi rights and obligations
- involving all New Zealanders in the debate
- providing relevant and reliable information
- focusing on ideas, not personalities
- winning a referendum to establish the republic

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