Thomas Cranmer: Realpolitik and New Zealand's Relationship with the Crown

While New Zealand's transition to a republic may seem inevitable, the influence of realpolitik could potentially dictate otherwise.

On Saturday, King Charles III was crowned in London in a magnificent ceremony steeped in tradition that celebrated the continuation of the monarchy’s long history. Every detail emphasised its ancient past and the link between God, king, and country. More than that, it was a celebration of Britishness complete with pomp, pageantry and wacky eccentricity.

In the Commonwealth Realms, King Charles’ accession to the throne has been greeted in more subdued fashion. Over many years, there was the suggestion that the Queen’s death would trigger reform of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements. However, whilst questions of republicanism have inevitably arisen over the last six months, it is notable that both upon Charles’ accession to the throne and his Coronation, the discussion around those questions by politicians and in the media has been muted.

In his final press conference before departing New Zealand for London last week, Prime Minister Hipkins suggested that he was a republican because his belief was that in time we would become a “fully independent country”.

Andrew Dickens: Why did so many mainstream outlets miss the point of the coronation?

So why are so many mainstream media outlets so poor at telling the news?

I say this after tuning into One News coverage of the coronation only to blunder into a 5 minute piece about Harry, followed by how to cook coronation quiche.

Maybe they thought they were being entertaining, but instead they came off as infantile.

Mike Hosking: Inside Westminster Abbey for the King’s Coronation - A moment in history that lives forever

It’s hard to know where to start.

But I had no shortage of time to work it out given I was seated in Westminster Abbey by 7.30am.

I wondered how badly time would drag given it didn’t start until 11am.

By 9am, the choir and orchestra began to play, and that was your first treat of the day. The sound in the Abbey is astonishing.

I was seated with members of the House of Lords and various judges who were wearing their wigs, which made me wonder whether that was the reason the King chose May for the coronation.

Point of Order: We are assured we have been made safer against terrorists.....

.....but the Greens found grounds to grumble about the new law

The Government has further strengthened and clarified counter-terrorism laws, particularly around high-risk individuals, to make our communities safer, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said in a press statement after the Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill 2023 passed its third reading in Parliament “with strong support across the House”.

But the Greens did not support the bill and Allan’s press statement is somewhat vague in explaining how the laws have been strengthened and clarified.

Mike Hosking: Once again, London has been a thrill

So this is it.

It's our final broadcast and, as always, at the end of a journey you long for more.

The event itself tomorrow will be spectacular.

As we have said many times on the various royal-type visits we have made, whether it’s the William and Kate wedding in 2011, the Harry and Meghan wedding in 2018 or this one, no one does it like the Brits.

If you want to know how to show yourself off to the world with a mix of history, glamour, sparkle and majesty, the British and the British royal family are your gold standard.

Lushington D. Brady: Coronation vs Welcome to Country

Is there a better argument for a monarchy than Republicans?

Back in 1999, I voted “Yes” in the Australian Republican referendum. In hindsight, I’m glad I was wrong and so many more of my fellow citizens were wiser than I was, back then. In the years since, I’ve come to realise the peculiar wisdom of Australia’s (and Canada’s, and New Zealand’s) constitutional monarchy. Where, as Mark Steyn said, ultimate power is vested in someone not only without real power, but physically absent most of the time.

Point of Order: Wood questions KiwiRail about go-slow....

.....but changes gear with Clean Car Discount when targets are delivered too quickly

In one new statement posted on the government’s official website, Transport Minister Michael Wood says the Clean Car programme will reduce 50 per cent more emissions than originally estimated by 2035.

We can only marvel at Minister Wood’s certainty about those numbers when he and a colleague have launched “a rapid review” of KiwiRail following a breakdown of critical equipment that led to major disruptions for Wellington passenger rail users.