Prime Minister Helen Clark announces a constitutional stocktake in New Zealand. There are two very good background papers about the reasons for the review including issues such as the British monarch as NZ’s head of state, appointment of the Governor General by the British Monarch and the symbolism of the Union Jack on the flag – all familiar to Australian republicans – to be found at www.beehive.govt.nz (search under Helen Clark/November 2004). Around 40 percent of New Zealanders are believed to support election of the head of state. The Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand (which supports direct or indirect election of the head of state) is following the progress of the constitutional inquiry on its website at www.republic.org.nz – the patron of the organisation is Keri Hulme, a writer and fisher. In June 2004, the NZ Justice Minister announced a proposal to modernise oaths sworn by MPs, Ministers, new citizens etc.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
