It's about time we had someone with whakapapa Māori leading this country. Way back in the mists of time, I thought that person might be Winston. But he turned out to be as venal and self serving as any tory mp.
Yes. She doesn't have any say, and that's how it should be. Otherwise it is the Crown interfering in our democracy. The alternative is a republic where we vote for a "head of State" - Like Trump. What's unique about our system is we have a Treaty. which many other democracies don't.
I do indeed, and surely the behaviour of this government is so traitorous to our country that it should trigger a no confidence vote, something, to trigger such an intervention here?
Australia has an upper house. Kerr was out of line. But it sure was a constituional crisis, which in my view should never give power to an unelected GG to cause.
John Kerr was a friend of my father. I was introduced to him once and when I told my sister she asked if I’d spat in his face. I should have but it was a bit too public to get away with it😡
It’s so disheartening about the watering down of the Te Tiriti O Waitangi. I hope when Labour gets back in they’ll immediately introduce a big bill to restore all the erasure of Maori in legislation.
Nothing good will ever come out of this coalition. But the greater worry is Winston Peters' rise in the polls. With him around Te Tiriti issues will be forever marginalised
There has been a long standing relationship between the two monarch's dating back to Kingi Tawhio's time, but the relationship has become stronger since the late Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairarangikaahu with Queen Elizabeth II, then the late Kingi Tuheitia with King Charles and now his daughter with King Charles.
Kuini Ngawai hono i te po's tūpuna would be proud.
As much as I love the British monarch, even though I whakapāpā Māori, I tautoko your whakaaro of having Kuini Ngawai hono i te po as our Head of State.
Good thought, but would take huge constitutional upheaval. Yes the Kuini is impressive and refreshing especially compared to grunting Goldsmith. But I'm sure you know this - the King represents one signatory (the Crown) to Te Tiriti and Maori the other. The Head of State has no constitutional power, which to my mind is a good thing. Te Arikanui is the head of the Kingitanga movement and several major iwi do not formally acknowledge the Kingitanga. Our current representative for the Crown is the GG Cindy Kiro (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Kahu, Ngati Hine,) who is the first Maori woman to hold that role. She is the third GG of Maori descent we have had in NZ. I’ve thought a lot about republicanism, but I reckon the current constitutional monarchy we have is quite cost effective and doesn’t vest power in one person (ie Trump.) - even if it’s a bit quaint. Sorry if I sound like I am being teachy.
👍💯 AND the current Kuini may be impressive as a person, but leaving it up to only one sector of maoridom, ie the Kingitanga, would not be acceptable to the likes of Nga Tahu & other iwi who are not included, not to mention unintentionally selecting someone in the future who goes rogue! (Lots of examples of people being appointed/elected under one understanding then once they are in situ becoming the opposite 😱) And absolutely NO! to a "republic" - couldn't be starker right now in both the USA & the UK where Trump can't be easily reined in, but Starmer could be gone tomorrow if he loses support from his own party. Neither is perfect but one is more perfect than the other!
I would consider some sort of upper house where the responsibility would be to scrutinise legislation for adherence to the Bill of Rights & Treaties Aotearoa has signed - including te Tiriti & United Nations - on a strictly legal & non-partisan basis. Non-compliant would be sent back for correction/amendment. Not sure how it would be structured? Former High Court lawyers/Judges et al??
Yeah worth exploring, but not the House of Lords model! The Attorney General is supposed to advise on the Bill of Rights etc but that is a government position, as we saw with Judith Collins. Our various commissions ie Human Rights do give advice, but mostly ignored if it doesn't suit the government.
I appreciate your point Darien but I really think it's time to become a republic.
We need a second house of government to stop the excess that a single house allows.
We also need citizens assemblies to put forward ideas to parliament that are representative of the public and don't allow capture by corporations and their hangers on.
I'm unsure how we would arrive on a head of state but the current system we have has left great inequality and building resentment in my opinion.
🤔 the "Republic" model causes at least as much "great inequality and building resentment" as the system we have, but a "second house" is something I agree with in principle, plus citizens assemblies if people can be motivated to take part (such as the one brought together after the axing of the pay equity legislation, but BEFORE hand of course!) Actually, they used to be called "Select Committee Hearings" before all the "urgency" legislating of this coalition 🤷🙄 Restricting "urgency" & enforcing genuine pre-legislation hearings seems like a simple non-controversial & easy partial fix 🤗
Yes; and the Select Committees are not bi partisan, so the governing party has the most numbers and the chair. But yes, the People's Assemblies : so much of what we do these days relies on loud noises from the people to embarrass the fools on the hill.
Good point Cindy, I just can't bring myself to support the monarchy as simply in my opinion it's the basis of the class system, and as such, again in my opinion, needs to be dismantled.
What is going on with National…Nationally ? Dissension in the ranks?Too many unanswered questions ? Like these ones ? Problem solved, it’s obvious..BRING BACK TODD MULLER.
This old white guy would love it. However Darien’s point of view above needs to be carefully considered as well. Must be someone with the ability to develop something that would fit the country and appeal to most in Aotearoa.
Adore Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te pō. It would be so enriching for us al to have her as our head of state. Goldfinch will get his just rewards and be condemned in the annals of our history along with his COG mates.
🤔We can "cut loose" without needing to be a "republic". Lots of democracies are not tied to the British, but yes, a proper Constitution should be developed to suit our unique nation. 👍
It is with a great sense of pride that I applaud the words and actions of our beautiful Maori Queen. How I wish I were Maori. How I loathe and detest the actions of luxon's racist government and how they are trying their utmost to undermine and destroy everything Maori. To those who disrespect The Treaty of Waitangi, I say go and live in Australia. You'll be right at home there. They disrespect indigenous rights too.
Yes a Kingitanga head of State becomes good sense to maintain equal relationships as an honorary position as it is now. And appointed by Crown with advice. However - in spite of my not being a fan of second houses - that would make sense to have an entirely Maori second houses with similar powers to those in Australia. It would only need 12 or so. Elected by chiefs. Then we would not need a Maori roll, but can expect many Maori to be elected with the multi-cultural roll.
🫂 I am supportive of the kuini speaking the truth - someone has to! NZers from all walks of life when they get the ear of a prominent person or media should speak up, and many do. But although she may be saying what many of us think, and we may support her words, she actually cannot & does not speak "on behalf" of anyone beyond her own sphere of influence in Maoridom, unless they have a national Hui of all Iwi before she speaks & develop an agreed message for her to convey on their behalf because of the unique opportunity something like this presents. (Perhaps they did & it went under the radar?)
I love our current Governor General, but am unsure how necessary the role is if we stop pretending we are functionally part of the "British Crown" - it is nice to have a non-political person for ceremonial occasions, but again NOT the kuini. Her role is distinct & separate & limited, and should remain that way IMHO (I'm sure most/all of my Kai Tahu whanui would agreed 🙄)
👏 But agree she does make me proud as a NZer for using the occasion to speak the truth against the current govt, when no-one could criticise her for just treating it as a ceremonial junket & speaking only platitudes & non-controversial mumbo jumbo as most dignatories do in such circumstances 👍🫂
It's about time we had someone with whakapapa Māori leading this country. Way back in the mists of time, I thought that person might be Winston. But he turned out to be as venal and self serving as any tory mp.
How great would that be! Imagine the dither it would cause all the pale, fragile, poorly informed, racist Pakeha😅
We already have a Maori women Head of State who is the Governor General.
But her role is under the English crown is it not.Which if it is is just pandering to the colonial system?
It always appears that she is solely a figure head that has pretty much zero say.
Yes. She doesn't have any say, and that's how it should be. Otherwise it is the Crown interfering in our democracy. The alternative is a republic where we vote for a "head of State" - Like Trump. What's unique about our system is we have a Treaty. which many other democracies don't.
True, though she is really 2IC and could be changed fairly easily.
Remember Kerr's Cur. iin Australia where the GG basically dumped a Labour Government?
I do indeed, and surely the behaviour of this government is so traitorous to our country that it should trigger a no confidence vote, something, to trigger such an intervention here?
Australia has an upper house. Kerr was out of line. But it sure was a constituional crisis, which in my view should never give power to an unelected GG to cause.
John Kerr was a friend of my father. I was introduced to him once and when I told my sister she asked if I’d spat in his face. I should have but it was a bit too public to get away with it😡
Well I never trusted him. And I was right.
Yup, feet of clay and naked ambition - not a good combination
What an excellent idea Nick! I applaud your bold thinking! It would be great if we had a big movement towards affirming that idea! Good luck!
I wholeheartedly agree! As a wahine pāhekā I would be right behind this idea. Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po would make a fine head of state.
It’s so disheartening about the watering down of the Te Tiriti O Waitangi. I hope when Labour gets back in they’ll immediately introduce a big bill to restore all the erasure of Maori in legislation.
Nothing good will ever come out of this coalition. But the greater worry is Winston Peters' rise in the polls. With him around Te Tiriti issues will be forever marginalised
Āta mārie Nick and Nick's Kōrero whānau.
You have written another fantastic piece today.
There has been a long standing relationship between the two monarch's dating back to Kingi Tawhio's time, but the relationship has become stronger since the late Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairarangikaahu with Queen Elizabeth II, then the late Kingi Tuheitia with King Charles and now his daughter with King Charles.
Kuini Ngawai hono i te po's tūpuna would be proud.
As much as I love the British monarch, even though I whakapāpā Māori, I tautoko your whakaaro of having Kuini Ngawai hono i te po as our Head of State.
Ki a pai te rā ehoa.
Have a great day.
Re Paul's comment: a suitable word for Goldsmith is despise.
Better still - a suitable word for Goldsmith is weasel!
Although that could be seen as an insult to weasels?
Goldsmith needs to retire back to hid Hobsons Pledge rabbit hole never to be anywhere near politics again.
Individually and collectively, the members of the coalition lack integrity.
Good thought, but would take huge constitutional upheaval. Yes the Kuini is impressive and refreshing especially compared to grunting Goldsmith. But I'm sure you know this - the King represents one signatory (the Crown) to Te Tiriti and Maori the other. The Head of State has no constitutional power, which to my mind is a good thing. Te Arikanui is the head of the Kingitanga movement and several major iwi do not formally acknowledge the Kingitanga. Our current representative for the Crown is the GG Cindy Kiro (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Kahu, Ngati Hine,) who is the first Maori woman to hold that role. She is the third GG of Maori descent we have had in NZ. I’ve thought a lot about republicanism, but I reckon the current constitutional monarchy we have is quite cost effective and doesn’t vest power in one person (ie Trump.) - even if it’s a bit quaint. Sorry if I sound like I am being teachy.
👍💯 AND the current Kuini may be impressive as a person, but leaving it up to only one sector of maoridom, ie the Kingitanga, would not be acceptable to the likes of Nga Tahu & other iwi who are not included, not to mention unintentionally selecting someone in the future who goes rogue! (Lots of examples of people being appointed/elected under one understanding then once they are in situ becoming the opposite 😱) And absolutely NO! to a "republic" - couldn't be starker right now in both the USA & the UK where Trump can't be easily reined in, but Starmer could be gone tomorrow if he loses support from his own party. Neither is perfect but one is more perfect than the other!
I would consider some sort of upper house where the responsibility would be to scrutinise legislation for adherence to the Bill of Rights & Treaties Aotearoa has signed - including te Tiriti & United Nations - on a strictly legal & non-partisan basis. Non-compliant would be sent back for correction/amendment. Not sure how it would be structured? Former High Court lawyers/Judges et al??
Yeah worth exploring, but not the House of Lords model! The Attorney General is supposed to advise on the Bill of Rights etc but that is a government position, as we saw with Judith Collins. Our various commissions ie Human Rights do give advice, but mostly ignored if it doesn't suit the government.
Lesson appreciated, Darien.
I appreciate your point Darien but I really think it's time to become a republic.
We need a second house of government to stop the excess that a single house allows.
We also need citizens assemblies to put forward ideas to parliament that are representative of the public and don't allow capture by corporations and their hangers on.
I'm unsure how we would arrive on a head of state but the current system we have has left great inequality and building resentment in my opinion.
🤔 the "Republic" model causes at least as much "great inequality and building resentment" as the system we have, but a "second house" is something I agree with in principle, plus citizens assemblies if people can be motivated to take part (such as the one brought together after the axing of the pay equity legislation, but BEFORE hand of course!) Actually, they used to be called "Select Committee Hearings" before all the "urgency" legislating of this coalition 🤷🙄 Restricting "urgency" & enforcing genuine pre-legislation hearings seems like a simple non-controversial & easy partial fix 🤗
Yes; and the Select Committees are not bi partisan, so the governing party has the most numbers and the chair. But yes, the People's Assemblies : so much of what we do these days relies on loud noises from the people to embarrass the fools on the hill.
Good point Cindy, I just can't bring myself to support the monarchy as simply in my opinion it's the basis of the class system, and as such, again in my opinion, needs to be dismantled.
There are many different types of republics. What is a good example in your view?
Oh man, imagine how apoplectic some of those old white guys would be, even at the suggestion!
😱 Would almost be worth it just for that, eh 🤗🤣😜
What is going on with National…Nationally ? Dissension in the ranks?Too many unanswered questions ? Like these ones ? Problem solved, it’s obvious..BRING BACK TODD MULLER.
This old white guy would love it. However Darien’s point of view above needs to be carefully considered as well. Must be someone with the ability to develop something that would fit the country and appeal to most in Aotearoa.
Adore Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te pō. It would be so enriching for us al to have her as our head of state. Goldfinch will get his just rewards and be condemned in the annals of our history along with his COG mates.
I'd like to see us cut loose from the British & become a Republic with our own constitution.
🤔We can "cut loose" without needing to be a "republic". Lots of democracies are not tied to the British, but yes, a proper Constitution should be developed to suit our unique nation. 👍
As soon as possible!!!
It is with a great sense of pride that I applaud the words and actions of our beautiful Maori Queen. How I wish I were Maori. How I loathe and detest the actions of luxon's racist government and how they are trying their utmost to undermine and destroy everything Maori. To those who disrespect The Treaty of Waitangi, I say go and live in Australia. You'll be right at home there. They disrespect indigenous rights too.
Yes a Kingitanga head of State becomes good sense to maintain equal relationships as an honorary position as it is now. And appointed by Crown with advice. However - in spite of my not being a fan of second houses - that would make sense to have an entirely Maori second houses with similar powers to those in Australia. It would only need 12 or so. Elected by chiefs. Then we would not need a Maori roll, but can expect many Maori to be elected with the multi-cultural roll.
Liking this
🫂 I am supportive of the kuini speaking the truth - someone has to! NZers from all walks of life when they get the ear of a prominent person or media should speak up, and many do. But although she may be saying what many of us think, and we may support her words, she actually cannot & does not speak "on behalf" of anyone beyond her own sphere of influence in Maoridom, unless they have a national Hui of all Iwi before she speaks & develop an agreed message for her to convey on their behalf because of the unique opportunity something like this presents. (Perhaps they did & it went under the radar?)
I love our current Governor General, but am unsure how necessary the role is if we stop pretending we are functionally part of the "British Crown" - it is nice to have a non-political person for ceremonial occasions, but again NOT the kuini. Her role is distinct & separate & limited, and should remain that way IMHO (I'm sure most/all of my Kai Tahu whanui would agreed 🙄)
👏 But agree she does make me proud as a NZer for using the occasion to speak the truth against the current govt, when no-one could criticise her for just treating it as a ceremonial junket & speaking only platitudes & non-controversial mumbo jumbo as most dignatories do in such circumstances 👍🫂