May 31st
Submitted by LJ Holden on 30 May, 2012 - 23:42
Mike published a letter to the editor that appeared in the Dominion Post on Tuesday last week. Here's our response, which has gone (so far) unpublished:
May 23rd
Submitted by Mike Wilkinson on 22 May, 2012 - 15:38
This rather emotional sounding letter to the editor appeared in the Dom Post this morning. The author sounds remarkably confident that they know the best way forward for the country.
Submitted by Mike Wilkinson on 22 May, 2012 - 13:26
Many readers will be familiar with iPredict, a Wellington-based website that offers predictions on current events, political issues and economic issues. It's a great Kiwi website, exactly the sort of roll-up-your sleeves business that we think should be encouraged. Recently, the company introduced stocks that predict events relating to NZ becoming a republic. While you'd think we'd see this as a good thing, we think they are quite misleading about an NZ republic. In fact, the contracts suggest that iPredict is biased against a republic and is attempting to dissuade voters from entering into a discussion about it.
May 22nd
Submitted by LJ Holden on 21 May, 2012 - 21:26
Derek Round, RIP.
I was shocked to see the news that the doyen of New Zealand journalism, Derek Round, was found dead at his home in Whanganui under suspicious circumstances. The Police are treating his death as a homicide. Derek had a long and distinguished career and was a thoroughly interesting bloke. I met him in 2010 when he made a great submission to the Government Administration Select Committee on the Governor-General Bill. What was incredible for both myself and Dean Knight (who also submitted on the same day) was that Derek actually covered Prince Charles and Diana's wedding.
Clearly, he wasn't smitten with royalty despite rubbing shoulders with them.
May 19th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 19 May, 2012 - 10:24
Most New Zealand republicans simply don't care about the tabloid lives of the royals and whichever celebrities they've been partying with this week. As anyone glancing at the most recent editions of New Idea, Women's Day or Women's Weekly will tell you, Kate's womb has become public property for all and sundry to speculate on. It's horrible.
May 17th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 16 May, 2012 - 22:00
Radio Waatea reports the Kingitanga held a symposium on the constitutional review at its annual Kingitanga Day:
May 15th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 15 May, 2012 - 06:27
Social media is great for short interactions, but not so great when you're trying to have a sensible debate. Over the last few days I've attempted to discuss some questions put to the Republican Movement's Twitter account by Karl Stephens. Instead, I'll answer them here where there's no 180 character restriction!
Submitted by LJ Holden on 14 May, 2012 - 21:30
Jamaica is making steady progress towards republican status. Jamaica's parliament opened this week, with "An Act to Establish Jamaica as a Republic, within the Commonwealth of Nations" to create a republic being made a priority:
During his address to the legislators, Sir Patrick also said that the government is placing priority on preparing and passing legislation establishing Jamaica as a Republic and removing Britain’s Queen Elizabeth as its Head of State.
“The Government will be proceeding in this regard through consensus and dialogue with the Opposition,” Sir Patrick said.
May 11th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 10 May, 2012 - 20:42
A New Zealand republic means the ability for New Zealand to set the rules around our head of state for ourselves. Under the monarchy, they're handed down to us - and what better place than the former seat of the former British Empire, Westminster in London.
May 6th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 6 May, 2012 - 09:38
Time for a vote perhaps...
There's been a number of strong responses to Colin MacGillivray's opinion piece in the April edition of Republic.
May 5th
Submitted by LJ Holden on 5 May, 2012 - 10:11
The Sydney Morning Herald has a great letter to the editor - I love the symbolism of the safety blanket, it is a pretty accurate representation of the actual value of the monarchy:
May 2nd
Submitted by LJ Holden on 1 May, 2012 - 21:03
The Jamaica Observer reports a resolution is to be put before the Jamaican parliament to rename the "Speech from the Throne" to the "People's Speech". The move is said to be:
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