NZ's Royal Problem: The Power of the Crown

After Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest for his links to
Epstein, questions arise about his place in the line of
succession. We explore how New Zealand remains tied to the Crown
and why changing it is more complex than it seems.


As scandal surrounds Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, attention has
turned to his place in the royal line of succession in New
Zealand. In this episode of Context, we explore how New Zealand
remains tied to the Crown and why changing it is more complex
than it seems.


Here’s the catch: if the UK moves to remove him, countries like
New Zealand would need to pass their own laws to match it. So
what does that actually mean? And if New Zealand became a
republic what would have to change?


Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner trace the long evolution of our
system from the Treaty of Waitangi, through dominion status and
the Constitution Act 1986, to the modern role of the
Governor-General. Along the way: Why NZ has a legal say in the
line of succession What would replace the monarch as head of
state And what happens to agreements made with the Crown Could
New Zealand walk away from the monarchy and what would we be
walking into?


Watch the video version of the episode here.


Or you can watch the full series on the RNZ website here.


Thanks to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.


Have a topic you'd like Corin or Guyon to explore? Send your
ideas to context@rnz.co.nz


Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details