The Suggested Revolution Against the Crown
Philip A Joseph (ed.), Essays on the Constitution (Brookers Ltd, Wellington, 1995) 28
Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Cooke Paper No. 17/2016
16 Pages Posted: 17 Mar 2013
Date Written: 1995
Abstract
In this article, Sir Robin examines the legal implications of a potential abolition of the monarchy in New Zealand. He begins by describing the legal history of New Zealand, as a member of the Commonwealth with the Queen as its head of state. Sir Robin then discusses what conditions might be required for the judiciary to uphold a New Zealand statute abolishing the monarchy. These conditions include evidence of significant public support for a republic as well as evidence of substantial Māori concurrence. He concludes that the legal and constitutional implications would be complex and that, beyond legal concerns, there would also be significant political and national issues at play.
Keywords: New Zealand, abolition of the monarchy, republic, head of state, Commonwealth, constitutional law, legal revolutions
JEL Classification: K10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation