Prepare for a republic switch, NZ told

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A switch to a republic could be seamless for New Zealand and the most practical time to change would be at the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, says former deputy prime minister Michael Cullen.

Mr Cullen insists he is not a republican - but says New Zealand must make some constitutional changes before the Queen dies.

A drift towards a republic is ''inevitable'' but most people have an affection for the Queen, he said.

That support would not necessarily transfer to King Charles III, Mr Cullen said.

Instead New Zealand should nominate the Governor General by a super majority - usually 75 per cent - in Parliament.

Once the Queen dies the Governor General would become the interim head of state while the country decides what to do, possibly by referendum.

Speaking at a debate as part of a Reconstituting the Constitution conference at Parliament today, he said the process could start ''almost immediately'' because the a new Governor General is due to be chosen next year.

''I do believe a lot of support ...has a great deal to do with the current incumbent...she's actually widely admired.

''Thereby, hangs the problem ...do we decide to depose the king. You don't have to be a monarchist or a traditionalist...to feel a slight queasiness around the notion of deposition.''

Dr Cullen would rather the Head of State was ceremonial - not an executive president, such as in the US.

However, if the new head of state had executive powers then they should be elected ''at large.''

If they retained the same powers as present, is was ''appropriate'' they be elected by a majority of Parliament.

''It might well be that the government of the day choose a certain person offshore to be head of state, there is nothing to prevent that. I think it is most unlikely, but it is a theoretical possibility,'' he added.

Treaty of Waitangi obligations would not be affected. Although ''Maori have a deep feeling that the monarchy is a protection of Treaty rights'' in fact the crown in the UK is ''irrelevant'' to this, he said.

He said having a monarch ''doesn't lessen our independence.''

''The United Kingdom is not the major threat to our cultural or economic independence within New Zealand. You don't have to be anti-American to see America as the real issue in terms of our cultural and economic and political independence.''

And he believes the process of change isn't likely to happen before the 84-year-old Queen dies.

''I don't think this is going to happen. It's all far too sensible and far too moderate. What will happen is the republicans will have an enormous argument about all this...and they will get bound up in all sorts of other issues. And the consequence is a vast confusion.''

He said he had ''deep suspicions the lovable King Charles III'' would rule New Zealand.

He debated the republic issue at Parliament today with Victoria University senior lecturer Dean Knight, but rather than taking opposing stances the pair had similar views, saying that New Zealand should start to prepare for a switch.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News