Monarchy Succession Updated 26 Mar 2015
Related articles
25 March 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monarchy Succession Updated
Chair of Monarchy New Zealand, Dr Sean Palmer, welcomes the enactment of the Royal Succession Act.
Today, at a special meeting of the Executive Council, the Governor-General of New Zealand promulgated the Royal Succession Act Commencement Order 2015.
The Royal Succession Act 2013 was passed in December 2013 to implement several important changes needed to modernise the monarchy. These changes included the introduction of gender equality and removed religious discrimination. However, the provisions of the legislation were left to be bought into force by an Order in Council at a later time. This was to ensure that the new laws were introduced simultaneously, so that the rules determining who assumes the Crown remained the same in all the Commonwealth Realms.
All of the countries which share Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state have now completed the necessary steps to bring the succession changes into force. These important updates will take effect from 1 pm on 26 March 2015 (New Zealand daylight time).
“These much-needed changes to the royal succession remove gender discrimination by allowing women equal right to the throne of New Zealand,” says Dr Palmer. “It is fitting that the nation which led the charge for women’s suffrage is now ensuring that men do not receive any special preference in the succession order. This means that, from now on, there will always be a 50/50 chance that our head of state will be a woman. That kind of parity is hard to find in any other nation.”
“New Zealand’s monarchy is an incredibly important part of our constitution and society. Removing sexist, old elements, and making sure that it reflects modern kiwi values is common sense.”
The Act also ends the centuries-old
prohibition on heirs to the throne marrying
Catholics.
“This requirement came out of 17th
century European conflicts and is completely unnecessary
today. The religious divisions of the old world have no
place in New Zealand. Anything that can be done to remove
this discrimination is a positive step.”
“New Zealanders can be proud of the changes that come in to effect on 26 March. They have modernised an ancient institution and will help keep our monarchy relevant far in to the future.”
- ENDS –
Editor’s notes:
All of the Commonwealth Realms, the countries which share Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch, are making the same changes. As a fully independent nation, New Zealand was not actually obligated to make any changes and could set any succession rules it wished. However, to preserve the present arrangement, in which one monarch is shared by several countries, it is not only making the changes, it is coordinating the changes among the other realms.
Women have reigned as Queen in New Zealand for 70% of the time since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. New Zealand has long been at the forefront of women’s rights and this change to the succession rules demonstrates that we value men and women equally.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more