Will the Empire strike back?

BY PETER MOEAHU

OPINION: On December 12, 2009, the New Zealand Supreme Court building in Wellington was formally opened by tangata whenua, judges and local dignitaries.

On January 18, 2010, the New Zealand Supreme Court building in Wellington was formally opened by tangata whenua, judges, local dignitaries – and Prince William.

No matter how you look at it, dragging Prince William all the way to Paradise to open a building that had already been opened has got to rank as damned extravagant.

At a time of recessionary cutbacks and unemployment, bringing a pretty-boy prince to Aotearoa was neither frugal nor prudent.

It makes Hone Harawira's sojourn to Paris last year look almost credible.

But when it comes to pomp and ceremony and mixing with the uppity-ups, it seems cash is king, as William will be one day.

That said it was nice to see tangata whenua represented at both openings.

As everyone knows, the New Zealand courts and Maori have a long association.

Indeed, if it wasn't for Maori the courts and legal profession would be half the size they are today.

This long association was emphasised by Prince William when he wore a traditional Maori cloak symbolising the court's traditional role of ripping off Maori.

And before you get your knickers in a twist and say that's not true, check the plaque outside the new Supreme Court, which says the land the court is on used to belong to Ngati Te Whiti.

So where to now for Prince Willy and the British monarchy? Will they be relegated to history along with other British Empire relics? Will we be free of Willy?

If Green MP Keith Locke has his way we will. Keith wants to dump the monarchy in favour of a president and the Republic of Aotearoa.

The good folk of Whangamomona are way ahead of you Keith and I'm surprised you haven't heard of their Heads of State: Presidents Billy Goat and Tai Poodle.

Nevertheless, Keith assures anyone who cares to listen that his Head of State Referenda Bill is the best thing since, well, since the Green Party.

His bill gives him a bob each way, which is about how much it's worth. The bill (sounds like a TV programme) is nothing more than a state-sponsored referendum where we get to choose to stay as we are or choose Republic Option 1, with an elected president like Ireland; or Republic Option 2, with a president elected by 75 per cent of Parliament, like Germany.

In Keith Locke's republic the President of Aotearoa would have no more constitutional authority than the Queen or Governor- General currently has. Makes you wonder what's the point of changing if there's no change.

Keith is quick to reassure Maori that his republic options will not affect the Treaty of Waitangi. Yeah right! Heard that one before.

Even with the treaty in place, Maori were invaded, persecuted, prosecuted and ripped off.

The Waitangi Tribunal is littered with hundreds of such examples, so what makes him think it will be any different under a republic?

Because, Keith says, his bill includes a clause that says "The rights conferred and obligations imposed by the Treaty of Waitangi continue as if this act had not been passed."

So we will elect a president that will have no more power than the Queen and pass an act as if it hadn't been passed.

I knew these Green fullas were tricky but this one takes the cake, it's all smoke and mirrors like climate change. Keith Locke reckons we need a president because a governor-general is appointed by the Government, must take advice from the Government and can be sacked by the Government, therefore lacks independence.

Tell that to Gough Whitlam, who was sacked as Australia's Prime Minister in 1975 by then governor-general Sir John Kerr. If that's not independent action, I don't know what is.

But if Keith gets his way and we move to a republic then a Tangata Whenua Upper House should be established.

The purpose of this Upper House would be to review all legislation to ensure it conforms with the Treaty of Waitangi.

Assent of the Upper House would be required before any new legislation is confirmed by the president.

It could be argued that an Upper House might interfere with the sovereignty of Parliament, therefore this should be left to politicians.

History shows that when it comes to protecting indigenous treaty rights, politicians are the last people to trust.

In fact, with the Upper House in place, we could dispense with the costly burden of list MPs and save the country millions.

So bring it on Keith, the Republic of Aotearoa and President Tuku – it has a certain ring about it.

- © Fairfax NZ News