Hubbard supports common currency for NZ and Australia

By JONATHAN MILNE

New Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard is calling for a common currency for New Zealand and Australia.

"I think it's not a case of if, it's just case of when. I'm certainly supportive of a linked one (currency) to start off with," he said.

"If the European Union can sort out currency problems, then it should be possible to get a workable formula between Australia and New Zealand."

Mr Hubbard acknowledged the bigger economy could dominate the smaller one.

"So you've got to make sure that the checks and balances are put in there."

Once the currency issue was resolved, Mr Hubbard believed New Zealand should follow Australia's lead in deciding whether to dump the Queen and become a republic: "I believe we want to watch what Australia does. It would be quite inappropriate for New Zealand to be a republic when Australia wasn't. We're so small, our future's so intrinsically aligned with Australia."

Ironically, Mr Hubbard will not be entering into the last two mayors' posturing over the monarchy: Christine Fletcher took the council chamber's royalportraits down, and John Banks restored them. Mr Hubbard will leave them alone: "That's the function of central government I think it's wrong to try and send statements at a council level."

- THE HERALD ON SUNDAY