Everything about The Realm Of New Zealand totally explained
The
Realm of New Zealand is the territory in which the
Queen in right of New Zealand is head of state. The Realm comprises the
Cook Islands,
New Zealand,
Niue,
Tokelau and New Zealand's
Ross Dependency in Antarctica. The term "Realm of New Zealand" is described in letters patent of 1983 constituting the office of Governor-General of New Zealand, in article I.
Governor-General
Since
Queen Elizabeth II is resident in the
United Kingdom she's represented in the Realm by a Governor-General. Governors-General take on all the dignities and
reserve powers of the Queen.
As of 2006 the Governor-General of New Zealand is
Anand Satyanand.
Sovereignty within the Realm
The Realm itself is a collection of former British colonies and protectorates. New Zealand was a British colony formed in 1840 and became a dominion in 1907, and gained legal independence with the
Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947. The Cook Islands and Niue were former British protectorates which were transferred to New Zealand administration in the early twentieth century. The Ross Dependency was put under New Zealand administration in 1923, and Tokelau was transferred to New Zealand from the
Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1925.
Cook Islands and Niue
Both the Cook Islands and Niue are said to be self-governing in
free association with New Zealand. The
New Zealand Parliament isn't empowered to unilaterally pass legislation in respect of these countries. In foreign affairs and defence issues New Zealand acts on behalf of these countries but only with their advice and consent.
As the Governor-General is resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands Constitution provides for the distinct position of
Queen's Representative. This individual isn't subordinate to the Governor-General and acts as the local representative of the Queen in right of New Zealand.
As of 2005 Sir
Frederick Goodwin is the Queen's Representative to the Cook Islands.
According to the Niue's Constitution of 1974, the Governor-General of New Zealand acts as the Queen's representative.
In the Cook Islands and Niue the New Zealand
High Commissioner is the diplomatic representative from
New Zealand.
As of 2005, John Bryan is the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands and
Anton Ojala is the New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue.
Despite their close relationship to New Zealand, both the Cook Islands and Niue maintain some diplomatic relations in their own name. Both countries maintain High Commissions in New Zealand and have New Zealand High Commissioners resident in their capitals. In Commonwealth practice, High Commissioners represent their governments, not the Head of State.
New Zealand
New Zealand proper consists of the following island groups:
Tokelau
Tokelau has a lesser degree of
de jure independence than the Cook Islands and Niue have, and had been moving toward free association status. New Zealand's representative in Tokelau is the
Administrator of Tokelau and has the power to overturn rules passed by the general fono.
Ross Dependency
New Zealand's claim to the Ross Dependency is held in
abeyance, per the
Antarctic Treaty System. The Governor-General of New Zealand, however, is also the
Governor of the Ross Dependency.
MFAT
Speech of 23-Apr-02, Antarctic Conference The Ross Dependency claim includes
McMurdo Station, operated by the
United States.
Summary
Future of the Realm
Within New Zealand there exists some support for a
New Zealand republic. Should New Zealand become a republic, the Realm of New Zealand would continue to exist without New Zealand, the Ross Dependency and Tokelau. This wouldn't be a legal hurdle to a New Zealand republic as such, and both the Cook Islands and Niue would retain their status as associated states with New Zealand, as New Zealand shares its Head of state with the Cook Islands and Niue in the same way the United Kingdom shares its Head of state with the other
Commonwealth Realms. However, a New Zealand republic would present the issue of independence to the Cook Islands and Niue. Thus, a number of options for the future of the Realm of New Zealand exist:
A New Zealand republic with the Cook Islands and Niue remaining in free association with New Zealand, but retaining the Queen of New Zealand as their head of state;
A New Zealand republic with the Cook Islands and Niue having a new republican head of state as their head of state;
A New Zealand republic with the Cook Islands and Niue having their own heads of state, but retaining their status of free association with New Zealand.Further Information
Get more info on 'Realm Of New Zealand'.
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