Media releases: Republic Poll: Charles Preferred... By A Nose
Media Release Republican Movement
Republic Poll: Charles Preferred... By A Nose

Media Release 21 April 2009

"A poll commissioned by the Republican Movement and published today, on the Queen's 83rd birthday, shows New Zealanders are increasingly looking to the future as a republic - although Prince Charles is winning the race by a nose" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

43% of those surveyed in the poll stated they wanted New Zealand to become a republic, and did not want Prince Charles to become New Zealand's head of State when the Queen's reign ends. 45% supported Charles as King, with 13% stating they wouldn't answer or didn't know.

"Whether they support the monarchy or a republic, New Zealanders want the chance to choose who their future head of State is" continued Mr Holden. "With the Cabinet Office helping legal academic Alison Quentin-Baxter research a book on the implications of the end of the Queen's reign, the debate is reaching a new and crucial phase".

This poll comes after a Research New Zealand Poll in December 2008 found 42% of New Zealanders supported a republic, while 48% supported the monarchy.

NOTES

The phone poll of 1,018 voting-age New Zealanders was conducted between 25 March - 7 April 2009. The question asked was:

"When the Queen dies, which option would you prefer: Prince Charles becoming King of New Zealand or New Zealand to becoming a republic?"

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The poll was commissioned by the Republican Movement and undertaken by Curia Market Research Limited.

For more opinion polls, see our page on polling: www.republic.org.nz/polling [1]

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to:

* involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;
* providing relevant and reliable information;
* focusing on ideas, not personalities;
* winning a referendum to establish the republic;

Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz [2]

[1] http://www.republic.org.nz/polling [2] http://www.republic.org.nz [3] http://www.republic.org.nz/newsletter/confirm/remove/92dcc7135e27t59

ENDS

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