Lushington D. Brady: This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen

Another hilarious disappointment for the republic pushers

You almost have to feel sorry for Australian republic activists. Almost. Because then you remember that they’re people like Malcolm Turnbull and Pirate Pete FitzSimons, and you just laugh at them instead.

NZCPR Podcast: Long Live the King!

The Coronation of King Charles III was a grand affair. It was watched by over 400 million people worldwide. Millions of royal fans crowded into London to be part of the celebration, with over a hundred thousand lining the procession route. 

But back home here in New Zealand, some used the Coronation to condemn the Monarchy and promote their own sovereignty over our democracy. Their goal is clear for all to see - a constitution with the "principles" of the Treaty of Waitangi as supreme law. 

This is a podcast of the latest NZCPR feature article - to read the article click HERE. 

All podcasts can be viewed on our Podcast page HERE.

NZCPR Newsletter: Questions Over Our Future

The outpouring of emotion over the death of Queen Elizabeth II came as a surprise to many. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets in Scotland and England in tribute, as they witnessed the magnificent pageantry of the meticulously planned transfer of Queen Elizabeth from her Balmoral sanctuary to her final resting place in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel, next to her beloved husband, Prince Philip.

Over a quarter of a million people queued for up to 30 hours to pay their respects to the Queen as she lay in State in Westminster Hall. More than four billion watched her funeral, televised live around the world.

Clive Bibby: A crisis of our own making

Given the outpouring of genuine affection shown for all but a few of the Royal Family at this time, it is not difficult to predict how a referendum on the Monarchy’s retention would fair if it was put to a vote in the current circumstances. 

And my guess is that it will be some time before the Republicans become brave enough to raise the issue again. That should be good news for King Charles and most of his British and Commonwealth subjects who would overwhelmingly support a decision to leave things as they are for an indefinite period. In fact I suspect it will be years before the emotional response to Queen Elizabeth’s illustrious reign subsides to the extent that this subject can be discussed again. But even when that future environment allows for a reasoned debate, those who want change will have to make a case based on how the Monarchy has outlived its purpose and usefulness in a modern society. That will remain an almost impossible task in the UK - certainly in what remains of my lifetime, but the jury is probably still out on how much longer it has a place in our own constitutional framework. 

Mike Hosking: There's no need for the republic debate

We will eventually get to the old republic debate.

Australia has already started their debate; I note the Prime Minister there has said there will be no vote this term, which I think is wise.

Firstly, because we have enough on our plate at the moment without putting things to the vote. Perhaps we could get past Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, and the war?

And a republic debate is one for the generations. And whether it's decided next year or in ten years, really in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t matter. But as it stands, my guess is we wouldn't vote for one. Mainly, because what we have works.