Our country needs an independent head of state, not one that is a tool of Britain’s soft power. Britain’s government describes the monarchy as “a unique soft power and diplomatic asset” that - even within the nominally independent Commonwealth realms - serves Britain’s overseas interests.
According to opinion polls, maintaining our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong motivator of support for the monarchy in New Zealand today. Why is that?
Royal visits are PR for the British Government - they’re determined by a committee of the British cabinet, which is essentially run by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.