Michael Cullen

By Chris Ormond of NZPA

Wellington, Sept 2 NZPA - A switch to a republic could be seamless for New Zealand and the most practical time to change would be at the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, says former deputy prime minister Michael Cullen.

He debated the republic issue at Parliament today with Victoria University senior lecturer Dean Knight, but rather than taking opposing stances the pair had similar views, saying that New Zealand should start to prepare for a switch.

Mr Knight described Dr Cullen as a "republican monarchist", but both said cutting ties with the monarchy could occur with little constitutional change and with the Queen's head of state status simply being transferred to New Zealand's governor-general.

The most practical time to do that would be at the end of the Queen's reign, Dr Cullen said.

Mr Knight pressed for a "soft republic" approach.

"No longer should the selection of the head of state be hereditary, discriminatory and foreign as is the case with our sovereign," he said.

The pair debated how a governor-general with head of state status should be elected, and Mr Knight said such a person should have the full confidence of Parliament.

There should be no changes in the level of power held by him or her, but they should simply be promoted from being de facto head of state to a real head of state. "Same powers, same functions, same responsibilities, same treaty obligations, same house."

Dr Cullen said if a governor-general were to be given stronger, executive powers under a republic, an election at large should be required.

Mr Knight conceded his mild push toward a republic was less radical than many republicans would be seeking, but that such an approach was more consistent with New Zealand's constitutional culture of pragmatic evolution.

The Treaty of Waitangi and its place in a republic has often come up in such debates, and while the speakers said it could be a thorny side issue, such concerns were often misplaced and could be resolved.

New Zealand's executive government was responsible for carrying out historic constitutional agreements and that would continue, Mr Knight said.

When it came to the timing of a switch to a republic, Dr Cullen said he believed most New Zealanders admired the Queen and wouldn't want to depose her while she was alive.

But it was important to start discussing and planning for the change now, because if it got to the point where Prince Charles became king before that had happened the country would be left in a situation where it would effectively have to depose the king.

Mr Knight said: "The Queen's expected longevity is not a reason for us to rest on our laurels," and that discussion and greater awareness was needed, along with an eventual referendum on the issue.