head of state Archive

  • Keith Locke

    New G-G welcome, but selection process questionable - by Keith Locke



    From my experience Jerry Mateparae is a decent fair-minded chap. It is hard to judge how he will go as the new Governor-General because I have heard him speak only in his recent role as Chief of Defence Force. He’s tended to steer away from anything particularly controversial. I’m not sure his official speeches are [...] read more
    March 8, 2011 5:35 pm - 9 Comments
  • frog

    Youth MP speeches — Harry Lusk - by frog



    Here is Harry Lusk – Keith Lockes’ Youth MP – giving a General Debate speech at Youth Parliament last month. My speech is based on one simple question: should the New Zealand people not have the right to elect whoever holds the highest position in our land? I speak to you, my fellow youth parliamentarians, [...] read more
    August 3, 2010 1:40 pm - 14 Comments
  • Catherine Delahunty

    Republican Referenda or Te Tiriti Based Reform? - by Catherine Delahunty



    It is not always easy being Green. I don’t care much for the monarchy but I don’t see republicanism as the only alternative and last night I had to decide whether to support Keith Locke’s Head of State Bill through to Select Committee. For some months we have had lively debate in our Caucus about [...] read more
    April 26, 2010 4:57 pm - 35 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Gareth’s gone feudal. - by Gareth Hughes



    Today I was sworn in as an MP and recited an oath pledging allegiance to the Queen and her heirs. I think it may be the first oath I’ve ever sworn because they aren’t that common any more now that we’re past the feudal period. read more
    February 16, 2010 6:03 pm - 115 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Head of State opinion piece kicks off debate - by Keith Locke



    I received a good New Year present from the Dominion Post when they published my opinion piece on the Head of State Referenda Bill under the title “Hands up for a president of Aotearoa”. This has kicked off the debate I had hoped around my Head of State private members bill, which enables Kiwis to choose between keeping the monarch or moving towards a democratically selected head of state. read more
    January 6, 2010 2:49 pm - 165 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Time for debate in NZ on discriminatory royal succession rules - by Keith Locke



    Britain’s current dilemma over the discriminatory nature of royal succession will hopefully stimulate a similar debate in New Zealand. The timing is good, now that my Head of State Referenda Bill – to see whether Kiwis want to stay with the monarchy – has been picked from the Private Member’s Bill Ballot. read more
    December 1, 2009 2:27 pm - 35 Comments