Regarding the debates on transition to the republic, which increased after Elizabeth’s death, Prime Minister Ardern stated that the government had more urgent matters and that a change of administration was not on the agenda.
After Queen Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96, republican debates flared up again in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who previously stated that she supported the country’s transition to a republic, said in her assessment after Elizabeth’s death that the change of management is not on the government’s agenda at the moment.
“Government has more emergencies to follow”
Ardern said that his government will not take any steps to transform the country into a republic, that he thinks New Zealand will eventually become a republic and that this will likely happen in his lifetime, but at the moment his government has more pressing issues to follow.
Ardern said that he did not consider the change of management and the death of the queen as interconnected events. “I believe that New Zealand’s destination in time is a republic. I believe this will happen in my lifetime.” said.
Queen ‘most loved head of state’
In memory of the Queen, 26 September was declared a public holiday. Ardern announced that they will hold a commemoration ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II, ‘who has been New Zealand’s queen and much-loved head of state for over 70 years’.
The ‘governors general’ represent the UK
In addition to England, Elizabeth was also the head of state of a number of countries, large and small, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and Papua New Guinea. The British monarchy is the head of state of New Zealand. England is represented in this country by the governor-general, who has ‘symbolic duties’.
Monarchy debates also spread to Australia and Antigua and Barbuda.
The monarchy debates that flared up with Elizabeth’s death also spread to Australia and the Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda.
Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, stated that a referendum will be held within 3 years.
In Australia, Green Party leader Adam Bandt, in his condolence tweet after the death of the queen, emphasized that Australia should move forward and make a transition to a republic.