Republican Movement Announces Head Of State Candidates

MEDIA RELEASE: 31 July 2008

"Over 1,000 New Zealanders told us their preference for New Zealand's first head of State on the President of New Zealand website this month" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The nominees were ranked by the number of nominations received, with all but the top ten being eliminated. The candidates for the first elected head of State of New Zealand are (in alphabetical order):

* James Belich

* Jim Bolger

* Sir Douglas Graham

* Sir Robert Jones

* Sir Kenneth Keith

* Don McKinnon

* Claudia Orange

* Vincent O'Sullivan

* Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

* Sir Wilson Whineray

"Voting will open soon for the first knock-out round. A second round will then be held for the top five candidates from the first round" said Mr Holden.

All current members of Parliament and candidates for election to Parliament were ineligible to stand. This means that despite speculation, neither Helen Clark or John Key would be eligible to stand for the office.

"There were a handful of nominations for New Zealand's current head of State, the Queen. The Queen is not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand and would not meet the requirements of being one – neither is any other member of the Royal family. For that reason the Queen was not eligible to stand" concluded Mr Holden.

NOTES

* The President of New Zealand website can be found at: www.president.org.nz

* Nominations for head of State opened on 1 July and closed at midday today.

* Candidate profiles will be posted shortly on the President of New Zealand website.

ENDS

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