Jacinda Ardern at a press conference on Monday
(Picture: AP)New Zealand’s government will not be pursuing any moves towards making the country a republic following the Queen’s death, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
Ms Ardern said she thought New Zealand would eventually remove the British morning as head of state, and it would probably happen within her lifetime, but there were more pressing issues for the country.
Her comments represent the first time she has spoken about the New Zealand republic debate since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Under the current system, the British monarch remains New Zealand’s head of state, represented in New Zealand by a governor-general.
“There’s been a debate, probably for a number of years,” Ms Ardern said. “It’s just the pace, and how widely that debate is occurring. I’ve made my view plain many times. I do believe that is where New Zealand will head, in time. I believe it is likely to occur in my lifetime.
“But I don’t see it as a short-term measure or anything that is on the agenda any time soon,” she said.
