Key pours cold water on republic referendum

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Prime Minister John Key is not backing a call for a referendum to be held on New Zealand becoming a republic.

United Future leader Peter Dunne called for a referendum, telling the New Zealand Herald he was tired of people saying the change was inevitable without taking any action to bring it about.

"It is extremely weak," he said.

Mr Key was asked by Newstalk ZB if he would back a referendum, but he said he didn't.

He did not support New Zealand becoming a republic.

"There are so many other issues we need to deal with at this time," he said.

"As I have always said in the past one day it's likely New Zealand will become a republic but, I don't think anything is going to happen under my watch."

- NZPA