http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8337574.stm

William to represent Queen in NZ

Prince William will visit New Zealand next year for an official overseas trip representing the Queen.

Clarence House said William would go to Auckland and Wellington for three days in January before an unofficial trip to Australia.

The prince will represent the Queen in New Zealand and open the new supreme court building in Wellington.

Prince William to make first official trip overseas

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6900454.ece

Prince Edward is currently here ... there hasn't been much news of him :ohno: except for his little slip of the tongue in Oz :lol:

Wow - North Island only - another royal gaff.

See he's more interested in Australia than New Zealand from that Times article.

Long Live the Republic

They seem to throw a few British royals out here from time to time. Edward was in CHC recently and also Anne was here last year.

I did get to see King Juan Carlos's motorcade in Wellington earlier this year.

Heres a photo of queen Sofia at Te Papa checking out our sealife:

http://www.casareal.es/noticias/images/20090618_viajes_estado_nueva_zelanda/20090623-nueva_zelanda_museo_te_papa.jpg

We went out for Tapas last night - that would make a f..k load of squid rings for people.

I don't know if Sofia is bored or about to baff up :nuts::lol:

Prince William's New Zealand trip to have relaxed tone

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8412277.stm

Prince William's first official visit to New Zealand is to have a more relaxed, youthful tone than usual royal tours, it has been announced.

It will feature barbecues rather than formal dinners and his progress will be charted on social networking sites Bebo and Facebook.

One royal official told the BBC the Queen saw William's first tour as a chance for him "to learn the ropes".

http://www.rism.ac.th/class/MS/kevin/kevin2/clipart/French_RevolutionImage.gif

They seem to throw a few British royals out here from time to time. Edward was in CHC recently and also Anne was here last year.

I did get to see King Juan Carlos's motorcade in Wellington earlier this year.

Heres a photo of queen Sofia at Te Papa checking out our sealife:

http://www.casareal.es/noticias/images/20090618_viajes_estado_nueva_zelanda/20090623-nueva_zelanda_museo_te_papa.jpg

what the fuck is that?

That's what Mrs Sophia is thinking........

It's one of those giant man eating squid things that lives a million miles under the sea and would eat a great white if one would come close enough.

they pull them up in the fishing nets from time to time..............they just look really yucky and you would never want to meet one while you're out deep sea swimming.

Visit Preparation

from The mail.

London: Prince William is preparing speeches for his forthcoming visit to Australia and New Zealand, it has emerged. Seemingly, William will express his willingness to serve the people if they concede.


"Of course he will stress the royal family's role and desire to serve while the people still want them too," the News of the World quoted a source as saying.

The insider added, "He is working on the speeches he will make - one in each country. Neither will be overtly political but he will stress the importance of the historic links between them and his family."

Meanwhile, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has reportedly vowed to remove the British monarch as his country's head of state. However, he has emphasised it is not a priority. William had visited Australia back in 1983, when he was still a baby

The 27-year-old prince arrives in New Zealand on January 17 before heading to Australia from January 19 to 21.

http://i48.tinypic.com/9to29j.jpg

http://www.rism.ac.th/class/MS/kevin/kevin2/clipart/French_RevolutionImage.gif

The 27-year-old prince arrives in New Zealand on January 17 before heading to Australia from January 19 to 21.

http://i48.tinypic.com/9to29j.jpg

So if we dump the monarchy which costs the NZ taxpayer zip, we would have to replace them with some political hack which we would have to pay for, no thanks, the current system ain't broke, so why bother wasting time over it.

So if we dump the monarchy which costs the NZ taxpayer zip, we would have to replace them with some political hack which we would have to pay for, no thanks, the current system ain't broke, so why bother wasting time over it.

What utter bollocks.

what are you going to replace the Queen with that won't cost the taxpayer money, just saying what utter bollocks isn't much of an answer.

The Royals should build a summer palace in Australia. Maybe finish the dome atop of Victoria's parliament :)

what are you going to replace the Queen with that won't cost the taxpayer money, just saying what utter bollocks isn't much of an answer.

True - utter bollocks isn't much of an answer - but I find you statement just as daft - just like the one you have made above - 'what are you going to replace the Queen with that won't cost the taxpayer money??'

You tell us:

Since when does the Monachy cost us nothing? Sounds like we are a free wheeling cheapskate bunch of South Pacific hicks that don't care what foreign head of state is our figure head - just so long as it costs us nothing...

What would you replace the Monarch with? Political hack - what's that? You must have some idea what type of post monachal national leader would look like and how they would function?

If it ain't broke don't don't waiste time over it - I think there is a deeper underlying principle at stake here.

All I'm asking you to do is to think about what you have posted..........I'm am really interested in your views and where you get your facts from because I'm passionate about NZ's future and development as an independent nation.

The Royals should build a summer palace in Australia. Maybe finish the dome atop of Victoria's parliament :)

And a big winter palace at the base of Mt Cook and they could put the Dome ontop on NZ's parliment in Wellington!:nuts::nuts::nuts:

Imagine the royal court battling the Australian heat.........mind you, if they lived in Australia, they could squash any talk of rebellion and the establishment of a Republic in both Oz and NZ - the would be a little closer to the action..........ohhh, but when the cats away..........what plotting would start in the other reals and territories over the seas??????:lol::nuts::)

All I'm asking you to do is to think about what you have posted..........I'm am really interested in your views and where you get your facts from because I'm passionate about NZ's future and development as an independent nation.

We already are an independent nation, replacing the monarchy with some politician elected by the people (or more likely elected by parliament) isn't going to make us any more independent.

The main reason why I'm not to keen on replacing the Queen is that I can't think of a better alternative, if we go down the Presidential route then the position becomes political, the great thing about the Queen and her NZ Representative the Governor General is that they are unbiased and non political.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/15/prince-william-new-zealand-visit

Prince William embarks on first official tour - a three-day visit to New Zealand

In retrospect, the two young women drinking lattes outside the Vulcan coffee bar off Auckland's Queen Street may not have been the best people to ask about New Zealanders' attitude to the monarchy. "Prince William?" one said, "Is he the one with the chubby cheeks, or the one with red hair?"

After this weekend she might have less excuse for ignorance. This Sunday, William, who one day may be monarch of New Zealand, Australia and 13 other countries as well as the United Kingdom, opens a new chapter in the royals' saga on his first official overseas visit, during which he will stand in for his grandmother in opening the new supreme court building in Wellington.

That in itself is a sign of change: New Zealand's judicial decisions are no longer subject to appeal to the privy council 12,000 miles away.

New Zealand television company TVNZ is doing its best to stir up excitement. "Will Prince William revive our fervour for the royals?", its website wonders as if not entirely certain, adding hopefully: "While the older royals are a bit of a bore, it must be said that the prince is pretty hot stuff."

TVNZ is asking Prince William fans, "or anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of him", to email in; though whether its decision to screen the movie The Queen Sunday evening is entirely tactful, concerning as it does the monarchy's reaction to the death of Princess Diana, William's mother, is less clear.

see article for more.

We already are an independent nation, replacing the monarchy with some politician elected by the people (or more likely elected by parliament) isn't going to make us any more independent.

The main reason why I'm not to keen on replacing the Queen is that I can't think of a better alternative, if we go down the Presidential route then the position becomes political, the great thing about the Queen and her NZ Representative the Governor General is that they are unbiased and non political.

So independent that our Queen lives 12,000 miles away and will most likely never be able to travel to her realm again?

Who do you think appoints the Governor General? A quick flick through their biographies on Wiki alone shows the appointment of a GG who would be sympathetic to the ruling party of the day. Good grief, it has only been the last half dozen or so GG's that have even been Kiwi born :ohno:

Not all Presidents hold a political office like the the President of the United States. The Irish model of a President is brilliant and one I would like to see upheld in NZ.

I truely believe that the need for a monarch as head of State in NZ is no longer needed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/15/prince-william-new-zealand-visit

Prince William embarks on first official tour - a three-day visit to New Zealand

"While the older royals are a bit of a bore, it must be said that the prince is pretty hot stuff."

TVNZ is asking Prince William fans, "or anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of him", to email in; though whether its decision to screen the movie The Queen Sunday evening is entirely tactful, concerning as it does the monarchy's reaction to the death of Princess Diana, William's mother, is less clear.

see article for more.

That is so pathetic......it really saddens me.

Grow up TVNZ :ohno:

We have more important political issues to address like abolishing the undemocratic Maori and electoral reform before we worry about becoming a republic or not. I just don't see the point in changing our form of government when the current system works very well.

We have more important political issues to address like abolishing the undemocratic Maori and electoral reform before we worry about becoming a republic or not. I just don't see the point in changing our form of government when the current system works very well.

I respect your concerns and even your sympathies with the current head of state (I use to be an avid royalist), but my concerns are for the future as well as the present. Unless we talk about it now and begin to act, change will not come about - and we all know what happens when we stagnate and not prepare ourselves for possible change.............we get left behind and get :old:...then....:ancient:....then....:angel1:.....:lol::)

One other little thing I'd like to challenge you/us with:

Who would be more interested in our national concerns - such as you have mentioned:

A king or queen who - by fluke of birth, and they can't ever get out of it unless they abdicate (causing constitutional crisis - and we don't have a written constitution) or die - is English and lives in London?

or

An and elected head of state who is a native of New Zealand and has proved themselves to be the person New Zealanders want in the top job until it is time to change and has democratically elected?

Just some thoughts for us all to ponder...........

There in lies one of my big issues with NZ becoming a Republic, I just don't see any current NZ politician being worthy of representing NZ as our Head of State, unfortunately the only Kiwi I would have liked to have seen in that position, Sir Ed, has now passed away.

BTW I'm not a royalist, I just don't like making a change for the sake of making a change, now if it could be proven to me that NZ becoming a Republic would make NZ a better place to live in, increase our wealth, solve all our problems, then yes I would support a change, but I can't see anything beneficial in a change.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2czyd0n.jpg

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Britain's Prince William took the reins of the winning America's Cup yacht and visited the site of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Sunday at the start of his first official overseas trip on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II

FACE BOOK OFFICIAL SITE>>

http://www.facebook.com/firstofficialvisit?v=box_3

LOADS OF IMAGES Of the tour

http://i48.tinypic.com/2czyd0n.jpg

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Britain's Prince William took the reins of the winning America's Cup yacht and visited the site of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Sunday at the start of his first official overseas trip on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II

Britian's Prince William........hmmmmm I thought he was New Zealands Prince William and Britian just happens to be another realm or territory he and his family have claim over..........

Postive thing though...........that lucky Kate Middleton.......he's spunky for a royal when you think about all that horrid gene and blood mix up they have........if I were 10 years younger................:lol::nuts::banana::)

He looks like his uncle Eddy don't you think............

We already are an independent nation, replacing the monarchy with some politician elected by the people (or more likely elected by parliament) isn't going to make us any more independent.

The main reason why I'm not to keen on replacing the Queen is that I can't think of a better alternative, if we go down the Presidential route then the position becomes political, the great thing about the Queen and her NZ Representative the Governor General is that they are unbiased and non political.

Agreed in the sense that there is a lack of options, but what does the GG or Queen actually contribute to the day to day running of the country.... very little... hers role is but a ceremonial position which has quickly become more and more irrelevant to todays world...

Postive thing though...........that lucky Kate Middleton.......he's spunky for a royal when you think about all that horrid gene and blood mix up they have........if I were 10 years younger................:lol::nuts::banana::)



Oh dear.......I was thinking more like lucky Willy, I'd be all over Kate like white on rice.

Agreed in the sense that there is a lack of options, but what does the GG or Queen actually contribute to the day to day running of the country.... very little... hers role is but a ceremonial position which has quickly become more and more irrelevant to todays world...

Which would be the same kind of role any future NZ president should have, so why bother changing one symbolic head for another, especially one which doesn't cost us much.

KiwiRob - where do you get this thing that the monachy cost us nothing???

Agreed in the sense that there is a lack of options, but what does the GG or Queen actually contribute to the day to day running of the country.... very little... hers role is but a ceremonial position which has quickly become more and more irrelevant to todays world...

We must never forget that the ceromonial is very much a part of every day life - no matter what we do or where we are.

Imagine the All Blacks not doing the Haka for example............

Our new head of State will have a vital part to play in the ceromonial and custdodial embodiment of our nation. Something that a William Windsor, Elizabeth Windsor or Barack Obama cannot do, because they are not New Zealanders.

We only pay for the monarchy when they are in NZ, we pay for their transport to NZ and back home, we pay for them when they are here, other than that we don't pay for the Queen at all. There was a noice article about this in one of the papers a couple of years ago. Now if this is incorrect point me to a source that contradicts what I said. We do pay for the GG, but I would think the GG would be a lot cheaper on the taxpayer than a President.

Imagine the All Blacks not doing the Haka for example............



I hate the fucking haka, it's a pity that a lot NZ sports team have one, I hate how people erupt into a haka at sporting events, it pisses me off when you see a bunch of people banging one off in the airport, there is too much hakaing going on in NZ, I believe we have basically killed it off and made it a joke, I don't know anyone who is excited by the haka nowadays, I used to love seeing the AB's belt it out before a match, now I'm jaded and couldn't give a shit.

I hate the fucking haka, it's a pity that a lot NZ sports team have one, I hate how people erupt into a haka at sporting events, it pisses me off when you see a bunch of people banging one off in the airport, there is too much hakaing going on in NZ, I believe we have basically killed it off and made it a joke, I don't know anyone who is excited by the haka nowadays, I used to love seeing the AB's belt it out before a match, now I'm jaded and couldn't give a shit.

Lovee - I agree with you 110%

But the point is, most daft Kiwis see that as their identy :ohno:

We only pay for the monarchy when they are in NZ, we pay for their transport to NZ and back home, we pay for them when they are here, other than that we don't pay for the Queen at all. There was a noice article about this in one of the papers a couple of years ago. Now if this is incorrect point me to a source that contradicts what I said. We do pay for the GG, but I would think the GG would be a lot cheaper on the taxpayer than a President.

The Governor General is the direct representive of the Queen and all the Monachy stands for..........hence the need for change.

He looks like his uncle Eddy don't you think............

Not really, looks more like his dad Mr Hewitt

Not Willy, it's the other one, Harry, that's the dead ringer for his daddy Mr Hewitt.

Not Willy, it's the other one, Harry, that's the dead ringer for his daddy Mr Hewitt.

:lol::lol:Very true :lol::lol:

:lol::lol:Very true :lol::lol:

agreed.... always wondered if the Royals did the paternity test on him... Im sure he knows himself... anyway when he reaches middle age and still has a full head of ginga.. then surely the games up??

agreed.... always wondered if the Royals did the paternity test on him... Im sure he knows himself... anyway when he reaches middle age and still has a full head of ginga.. then surely the games up??

We'll never know........it's the Monachy..........we are only the plebs.......Divine Right and all that stuff :nuts:

Have a good day boys........I'm off to bed now xx

Regardless of where you stand on the issue....

I think this is a good photo..

http://static.stuff.co.nz/1263804022/822/3239822.jpg

No I take that back, this isnt the photo I tried to post.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue....

I think this is a good photo..

http://static.stuff.co.nz/1263804022/822/3239822.jpg

No I take that back, this isnt the photo I tried to post.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Luka...........:nuts::nuts: are you high on late night chips and chocolate again?????????

Prince William opens New Zealand court building

He described New Zealand as "a nation that believes passionately in itself", but with enduring ties to Britain.

The prince is representing the Queen on his first official overseas visit.

He said earlier it meant "an awful lot" to him to stand in for his grandmother.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8464772.stm

The tour video>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV8chdlnbdg&feature=player_embedded


BV8chdlnbdg

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Luka...........:nuts::nuts: are you high on late night chips and chocolate again?????????

Stupid dompost website. I saw some real good shots, including one showing the new supreme court and also of him and the GG making a hangi but I could only convert that pisshouse photo!

And yes, now you mention it I was high on junk last night. Dinner wasnt enough so went down to the New World and got a KING size bar of Whittakers Fruit and Nut (as mentioned before I have boycotted Cadburys) and washed it down with Pepsi!

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/prince-never-in-danger-says-pm-3332912/video