KEY POINTS:
New Zealand has made great strides in the 100 years since it became a "dominion", but it is still a long way off becoming a republic, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.
Academics, politicians and other public figures gathered for a symposium at Parliament today - marking 100 years since then prime minister Joseph Ward symbolically proclaimed the country was no longer a colony of the British Empire.
The country eventually became fully independent in 1947.
Miss Clark today told delegates New Zealand had made great progress in the 100 years since it had become a dominion - embracing diversity and forging a unique identity.
But she later told reporters that she believed the next step - moving to a republic - was a long way off.
"I think New Zealanders generally take the view, `if it aint broke then don't fix it', and things tend to work as they are," she said.
" So the debate about republicanism is not one that people are seized of at the moment."
Asked if she would run for president in the event New Zealand became a republic, Miss Clark said it was "likely to be so far in the future that probably won't be a consideration".
In her speech to delegates Miss Clark said the most significant change over the past 100 years in terms of the country's identity was the willingness of New Zealanders to acknowledge the place of Maori and to embrace growing cultural diversity.
Much of the country's identity was shaped by its actions on the world stage including its anti-nuclear policy, its peacekeeping operations and foreign aid.
It was also shaped by its rich natural heritage, which it was important to preserve through sustainable environmental policies.
"The importance of being sustainable may well come to be seen as a core New Zealand value this century."
United Future leader Peter Dunne, who has campaigned for a nationally themed public holiday for years, said Dominion Day would be a good choice for a "New Zealand Day".
But Miss Clark scotched the idea, saying Waitangi Day and Anzac Day were already defacto national days and another was not needed.
- NZPA
