“Waitangi Day is a day to commemorate and celebrate. A day to recognise that the relationship and ongoing reconciliation discussions enabled by the Treaty – Te Tiriti o Waitangi are binding us together in a way that makes cultural diversity a strength” said Lewis Holden, campaign chair of New Zealand Republic.
“New Zealand Republic has a clear policy with respect to the Treaty. Our position – one that is backed by numerous academics – is that the transition to an independent head of state won’t change the Treaty’s status or mana. To remove all doubt, we support a Treaty clause in any legislation establishing an independent head of state.”
“It is our vision that by the 200th birthday of our treaty, our country will have a head of state of its own, representing kāwanatanga as party to Te Tiriti” concluded Mr Holden.
Lewis, the problem with your proposal is that because kawanatanga (governorship) is subordinate to rangatiratanga (sovereign authority) a kawana cannot be Head of State.
Comments are closed.