The Republic of New Zealand Party
| The Republic of New Zealand Party | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Kerry Bevin[1] |
| Secretary-General | Richard Nightingale |
| Founded | Formed April 2005, registered 15 July 2005 |
| Dissolved | 30 July 2009 (deregistered)[2] |
| Ideology | Republicanism, Conservatism |
| Website | |
| www.republicans.org.nz | |
| Politics of New Zealand Political parties Elections |
|
The Republic of New Zealand Party (RONZP or "The Republicans") was a political party in New Zealand. The party's registration was cancelled at its own request in 2009.[2] It was not, and has never been, affiliated to the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand, which is a nonpartisan organisation that does not share any of the party's policy platforms. In September 2011 the party announced it would merge with the OurNZ Party.[3]
Despite deregistering, a handful of the party's members remain active under its banner - burning the New Zealand flag at parliament in March 2010.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Background
John Kairau founded the party, which merged with another group in April 2005. Kerry Bevin became the political leader and John Kairau was the president of the party. In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, Kairau said "The party's aim is simple: to cut all ties with the British monarchy and install a New Zealander as head of state. A president, elected at large by the citizens, would replace the Governor-General as a figurehead, with parliament continuing as normal." He claimed the party had 3,000 members.[5]
Kerry Bevin led the party in the 2005 and 2008 General Elections. In 2009 the party was deregistered for failing to file a donations return, and failed to re-register itself in time for the 2011 general election, and did not run any candidates.[2]
[edit] Local elections
The party's deputy leader Jack Gielen ran for the Mayor of Hamilton in 2010, placing last with 404 votes.[6]
[edit] General elections
In the 2005 elections, the party won 344 votes or 0.02%,[7] well below the 5% threshold required to enter parliament without an electorate seat (which they did not win). In the 2008 elections the party polled even worse (313 votes)- 0.01% of the total party votes submitted in that election.[8]
[edit] Party officials
- Party leader: Kerry Bevin
- Deputy leader: Jack Gielen[9]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "A constitution supersedes the treaty". Scoop.co.nz. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1102/S00034/a-constitution-supersedes-the-treaty.htm.
- ^ a b c "Electoral Commission Decision Number: 2009-33". Electoral Commission. 30 July 2009. http://www.elections.org.nz/files/2009-33_RONZ_ann_don_return.pdf.
- ^ "Our NZ has a constitution". Scoop.co.nz. 5 September 2011. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00068/our-nz-has-a-constitution.htm.
- ^ "Police investigating after flag burnt at Parliament". http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/politics/3477007/Police-investigating-after-flag-burnt-at-Parliament/.
- ^ "Small parties battle election arithmetic". 7 August 2005. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10339555.
- ^ "Elections: Hamilton City Mayor". 13 October 2010. http://www.elections2010.co.nz/2010/elections/hamilton-city-mayor.
- ^ "Official Count Results -- Overall Status". Electoral Commission. 2008-01-18. http://2005.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/partystatus.html.
- ^ "Official Count Results -- Overall Status". New Zealand Ministry of Justice. 2008. http://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Republican Party calls for William to leave NZ". 3 News. 18 January 2010. http://www.3news.co.nz/Republican-Party-calls-for-William-to-leave-NZ/tabid/419/articleID/137678/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
