New Zealand has been moulded by the convergence of different cultures and traditions. Maori were the first settlers, followed centuries later by Europeans who established their own society. In the early days of the colony, leadership was based on tribal structures and social status. With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, we all became British subjects.
Over time we developed a meritocratic system where individuals rose to positions of leadership and influence based on their skills and capabilities, regardless of their background or social status. This has created a more equitable and inclusive society, where opportunities are available to all.
The British monarchy has played a significant role in the history of New Zealand. However, over time, New Zealand forged its own nation with the British monarch as its head of state. Today, the monarch has a ceremonial role, while matters of state are decided by a democratically elected parliament. While some may question the heredity principle on which the monarchy is founded, having a ceremonial head of state has many advantages in that it takes the politics out of the process and allows parliament to function as the lawmaker.
The British Commonwealth of Nations was established in 1926 through the Balfour Declaration and formalized by the United Kingdom by a Statute of Westminster in 1931. Queen Elizabeth II played a significant role in building links between Commonwealth countries by bringing people from many geographical regions, religions and cultures of the Commonwealth together. Today, the Commonwealth of Nations comprises 56 member countries, which contain one-third of the world’s population.
The new king promises to build on his mother’s legacy, which will be essential for the future of our Commonwealth. As a parliamentarian, I wholeheartedly support our constitutional arrangements. To depart from them would be a very large step and is a decision that should only be made by the citizens of New Zealand, not their elected representatives.
There are some who want to go back to a political structure based on the heredity principle in a misguided belief that it is somehow required to meet our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
This is not only incorrect, it is also incredibly dangerous. If we could ask those who lived in 19th century New Zealand they would be horrified. To do so would be to go back to what would end up as a feudal society, where people would be judged by their family line, not the content of their character.
Living in a free and democratic society is a privilege that our forebears worked hard for, and we must honour them by protecting and building on their legacy.
Our equitable society, while not without issues, guarantees one person, one vote of equal value, which we risk at our peril.
Democracy is hard won and easily lost; together we can build on the legacy of our forebears.
Long Live the King!
Stuart Smith is a N Z National Party politician who has been a member of the House of Representatives for the Kaikōura electorate since 2014. This article was first published HERE
The British monarchy has played a significant role in the history of New Zealand. However, over time, New Zealand forged its own nation with the British monarch as its head of state. Today, the monarch has a ceremonial role, while matters of state are decided by a democratically elected parliament. While some may question the heredity principle on which the monarchy is founded, having a ceremonial head of state has many advantages in that it takes the politics out of the process and allows parliament to function as the lawmaker.
The British Commonwealth of Nations was established in 1926 through the Balfour Declaration and formalized by the United Kingdom by a Statute of Westminster in 1931. Queen Elizabeth II played a significant role in building links between Commonwealth countries by bringing people from many geographical regions, religions and cultures of the Commonwealth together. Today, the Commonwealth of Nations comprises 56 member countries, which contain one-third of the world’s population.
The new king promises to build on his mother’s legacy, which will be essential for the future of our Commonwealth. As a parliamentarian, I wholeheartedly support our constitutional arrangements. To depart from them would be a very large step and is a decision that should only be made by the citizens of New Zealand, not their elected representatives.
There are some who want to go back to a political structure based on the heredity principle in a misguided belief that it is somehow required to meet our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
This is not only incorrect, it is also incredibly dangerous. If we could ask those who lived in 19th century New Zealand they would be horrified. To do so would be to go back to what would end up as a feudal society, where people would be judged by their family line, not the content of their character.
Living in a free and democratic society is a privilege that our forebears worked hard for, and we must honour them by protecting and building on their legacy.
Our equitable society, while not without issues, guarantees one person, one vote of equal value, which we risk at our peril.
Democracy is hard won and easily lost; together we can build on the legacy of our forebears.
Long Live the King!
Stuart Smith is a N Z National Party politician who has been a member of the House of Representatives for the Kaikōura electorate since 2014. This article was first published HERE
13 comments:
Well said and a good reflection after Hipkin's going to the very pageant and preaching a republican future for NZ.
Lets hope that this sane world can return soon.
I read once that citizens usually 'vote' themselves into Socialism but once in they have to 'fight' themselves out of it.
Tribalism and Feudalism are just other forms of the socialists utopia.....
And yet your own party members -senior members yet,still claim that there is within the TOW a partnership - a concept that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and which many people versed in the law have rightly described and ludicrous- that any citizen of a country like New Zealand can possibly be a partner as well as a citizen. Partnership and citizenship are mutually exclusive as are co-governance and democracy.
It's becoming urgent that your National party Stuart get off the fence and decide what you support and perhaps even more importantly what you are against.
We all need to know.
“Freedom is only one generation away from extinction” — Ronald Reagan
It is indeed something we readily take for granted, but clearly shouldn’t.
If the Maorification of Everything proceeds much further, the only way to root it out will be a civil war won by the good guys.
Nobody in their right mind wants that, so wake up New Zealand, before it’s too late.
Many people in NZ would have no idea how or why our constitutional arrangements are the way they are or even why they are important. This ignorance is dangerous and leads to the bizarre situation we have now where two Prime Ministers of a sitting government can’t bring themselves to say they believe in the Democratic system of Government.
I wonder if Chippy will be so churlish as to dismiss 1000 years of history and the Democracy that has evolved with Monarchy guiding its development after seeing what it means to billions of people in the Commonwealth at the Kings coronation.
To stand up in front of the NZ public and say Democracy is different in NZ and we’re going to design our own system is an insult to every New Zealander past and present
What a tightly written article. Strictly correct but incredibly misleading. But let just focus on two problems with what you write.
Like many constitutional monarchists (I used to be one of them) you seem to be blind to the inherent contradiction between the mantra of "one person one vote" and a meritocracy on the one hand and a feudal (as you put it) monarchy that is based on blood decent on the other.
Either we really are democrats (i.e. the tyranny of the majority) or we are not. If we are, then how can we tolerate ultimate power and ownership being vested in one man who is not elected?
On the other hand, if we think that a man can be vested with ultimate power and ownership simply by accident of birth, then what is wrong with Maori implementing the same in Nu Tireni for example with the King movement?
We can because it is only an apparent contradiction. You see, you gloss over the incredibly important Constitution Act 1986 which appointed a corporation (Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand - a US corporation) as head of state.
Thus Charles III is not the head of state of New Zealand but rather it is a corporation. So there is no contradiction. The board of directors and shareholders of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand (whoever they might be) presumably make decisions democratically. And that is what is so misleading about what you write. Yes, New Zealand is a democratic state (corporation). It's just that we don't know who the board or shareholders are. Yes, it is presumably one person, one vote. But who are these persons? They are not necessarily us. And I would make a bet that they are not.
Does that mean that Charles III has nothing to do with New Zealand. No. There is a private trust called the Commonwealth. And the King is trustee. But for us beneficiaries to claim our share of the Commonwealth, we need to know that it exists and that we are beneficiaries. Charles III and others (including yourself?) seem determined to keep us in the dark.
Chippy would need a lobotomy before he could see anything other than the Maorification he has supported for years.
And Jigsaw said it first. Obviously you are staunch in your position and have the courage to say it here. I would encourage you to niggle your party brothers and sisters and your leader to the max and press them to be crystal clear about their positions regarding co-governance and tribal rule. If they don't clarify, their votes will be going to ACT or TOP or NZ First. People are angry.
MC
Well said Stuart, but as 'Jigsaw' has said, you do need to sort your colleagues out and you need to be quick-smart about it!
Based on past performances, you're running the gauntlet and the likely 'hostile fire' is from within your own trenches. Worse still, it's coming from the leadership.
For yours, and your party's sake, you do need to sort this out, as your supporters are leaving in droves.
Time is running out fast. National is losing votes.
Since 2020-21, several National MPs have blatantly ignored well-meant warnings from National supporters that people are deeply concerned - both about the governance issue as well as the economic situation.
Mr Luxon's frequent "on the fence" attitude does not help.
A hard less is coming. This must be a strategic election to protect NZ's democracy.
‘Having a ceremonial head of state has many advantages in that it takes the politics out of the process and allows parliament to function as the lawmaker’ - on what planet? The government appoints the GG, how is that not political? Lobbying & identity politics have taken over, especially over the last 5 years where this government has created legislation driven by their own ideology & politics. If the GG was still earning their exorbitant wage we pay them they would have dissolved Parliament & charged them all with criminal nuisance. Further, the Commonwealth is just a nicer PR version of the British Empire; continuing to participate in it is to support suppression of indigenous people. I am sure we are all grown up enough to have a political system that can cope without supporting illiterate rich inbreds who are only adept at controversy & drama. At a cost to the British taxpayer of £83m per year, plus all the GG who do nothing other than burden Commonwealth countries with more costs, the Monarchy needs to be relegated to the history books.
Hear, hear Anonymous 7:14.
It is precisely because I don't want to live in a feudal society that I want to see the monarchy relegated to the trash can of history.
Be careful what you wish for Barend and Anonymous 7.14. That might well dispense with an expensive, reasonably benign, feudal society, but then usher in a more aggressive tribal one.
Anonymous 7.28 I would argue we already have a tribal one now - not just in terms of generous interpretations of the Treaty, but the overall progressive wave our democracy is being suffocated by, particularly in terms of this draconian Covid propaganda, co-governance & gender lies. Removing the symbolic figurehead of the GG & their plush lifestyle just reduces costs. It would change little else, but at least we would know we were not aligning with a pampered woke hypocrite who can even dress himself. The Monarchy should have died with the Queen.
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