New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Monday he personally favors his country becoming a republic, but it's not a change he intends to push for as leader.
New Zealand, a former British colony, is self-governing but Charles retains a largely ceremonial role as head of state and king. Charles is represented in New Zealand by a governor-general.
Barbados chose to become a republic in 2021. Jamaica last year said it plans to pursue independence. And Australia in February decided to remove the British monarch from the last of its banknotes, although an image of Charles is expected to feature on coins. Hipkins faces an election later this year and has already ditched many of his government's more contentious policies as he tries to refocus the political agenda on what he describes as bread-and-butter issues such as the cost of living.
Ardern had previously said she believed New Zealand would eventually become a republic but it was not a legislative priority. Hipkins, however, stated his own support of republicanism more forcefully than Ardern.But he said the current constitutional arrangements were working well and he wasn't interested in pushing the republic debate onto New Zealanders.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend King's coronation in London next weekThe coronation of the 73\u002Dyear\u002Dold monarch will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in a religious ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Read more »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend King’s coronation in London next week - Terrace StandardPrime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend King’s coronation in London next week
Read more »
Former secretary of state Clinton to join Liberal convention in Ottawa next week - Terrace StandardClinton will join Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland for a fireside-style chat
Read more »