Republicanism in New Zealand

Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic, as ruled by laws alone rather than with a monarch. This concept is expressed either individually—usually in academic circles—or through the country's one republic lobby group. Initially "republicanism" was a pejorative term for anti-government agitation, while contemporary republicanism in New Zealand focuses on the concepts of independence and constitutional reform, with opposition focusing on the indigenous aspects of the monarchy. Among republicans, the method for which a head of state should be chosen is not agreed upon, with some favouring an elected president, some an appointed head of state with little power.

The term "republic" in New Zealand has been used as a protest and a pejorative against the central government and/or royalty, to describe an area independent of the central government.

The first use of the term "republic" to connote an independent state in New Zealand came in 1840 when Lieutenant Governor William Hobson described the New Zealand Company settlement of Port Nicholson (Wellington), which had its own governing council, as such. Later, Wellington became the centre of agitation by settlers for representative government, which was granted by the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. Samuel Revans, who founded the Wellington Settlers' Constitutional Association in 1848, advocated a New Zealand republic.

In 1879 the people of Hawera declared themselves the "Republic of Hawera," due to a campaign by Māori leader Te Whiti against European settlement. They formed their own volunteer units to oppose Te Whiti. In 1881 government troops invaded Parihaka and arrested Te Whiti, bringing the "republic" to an end.

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