New Zealand will ‘ideally’ become a republic one day, says Chris Hipkins

New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Hipkins, has said he supports the country becoming a republic but has no immediate plans to act on separation from the monarchy.

Hipkins was holding a press conference hours before departing to attend King Charles III’s coronation, when he was asked about the prospect of New Zealand’s independence from the crown.

“Ideally, in time, New Zealand will become a fully independent country, will stand on our own two feet in the world, as we by and large do now,” Hipkins said.

“I don’t think that swapping out the governor general for some other form of head of state is necessarily an urgent priority right now, though.”

The previous prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, held a similar position, saying she personally supported a republic but it was not a policy priority. Hipkins has stated his support for a republic in more direct terms: “I believe we should ultimately be an independent country.

“I’m on record as being a republican, I think, I’ve never made any secret of that. But I’ve also indicated it’s not a priority for me, it’s not something I intend to push.”

Public support for republicanism in New Zealand has been limited. While there has not been extensive polling, a February 2022 Reid Research poll asked if New Zealand should break away from the Commonwealth and become a republic when Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ended. Almost half – 48% – said no, they would prefer to remain, and 36.4% yes.

Hipkins indicated that any republican shift in New Zealand would probably be decided by referendum, and only when there was strong public demand. “Honestly, I think it is something for New Zealanders to instigate a discussion on, and there isn’t a groundswell of support for having this particular debate right at the moment.

“When New Zealanders are ready to have a debate about whether or not they want to become a republic, then I will just be one vote in that. But it’s not something that I intend to prioritise – I don’t believe it’s the right time to do it.”

The role of the monarchy in New Zealand is largely symbolic, with little day-to-day involvement. King Charles retains a ceremonial role as head of state and king, represented in New Zealand by a governor general.

Hipkins said he planned to meet the king while in the UK but would not comment on what he planned to discuss.