Editorial: Time for a Kiwi head of state

The royals relevance to New Zealanders is getting hard to ascertain

There's nothing like a royal tour to bring all the pro and anti brigades out of the closet.

I guess I've always been part of the 'meh' brigade.

But on the face of it, it does seem a little ridiculous that our head of state is chosen by accident of birth on the other side of the globe.

In the past I've written that I'd much rather see our head of state chosen in this way than by a public vote which would see a politician elected our supreme leader.

But with age comes wisdom apparently, so I must be a fair bit wiser than I once was, and I'd like to see a New Zealand head of state in place by the time I reach my oldest and wisest and breathe my last breath.

Nothing really against the royals - most of them seem perfectly lovely - but their relevance to us as New Zealanders is getting harder and harder to ascertain.

And I have no problem with the way the crowds showed their affection for the visiting Duke and Duchess and baby Prince.

Let's face it - they're celebrities like any other celebrity - does it really matter how they came by their fame?

What does matter is how Kiwis see their nation and themselves - and having a New Zealand head of state can't come soon enough for a country which often punches above its weight, yet is still finding its feet on the world stage.

Choosing a head of state needn't be difficult. We manage to pick Governors-General and those who receive our highest honours without too much trouble.

It would no doubt be a largely ceremonial role, but nevertheless a hugely significant and highly respected one.

And most importantly, it would be a head of state for whom New Zealand and New Zealanders are his or her entire raison d'etre.

Kim Gillespie is the editor of the Rotorua Daily Post.