• Putting in place a clear process for appointing our next Governor-General is a first step to a New Zealand citizen as our head of state

• Our parliament already appoints the Auditor-General and members of the Electoral Commission in this way, to ensure neutrality

• A candidate would need three-quarters majority (90 votes) to win, ensuring that candidates would be non-partisan, and not drawn from either side of politics. This would ensure we have the same sorts of people as Governor-General when we have an independent head of state.

Why is New Zealand republic campaigning for this change? 

New Zealand Republic’s policy is that a clear process for appointing the Governor-General should be put in place, before there is a referendum on a republic. This is because

At present, the Prime Minister effectively appoints whoever they want as Governor-General by “advising” the Queen on who is to fill the office. Sometimes there have been Cabinet consultations on who will fill the role, and there is a convention that the Prime Minister will consult with the Leader of the Opposition.