Republican Association of New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Republican Association of New Zealand (NZRA) was a political organisation in New Zealand
with the aim of supporting the creation of a New Zealand republic
.
in 1966, and gained wide publicity for its anti-royal activism, including the burning of the Union Flag
and protesting during Royal visits. When the Governor-General
Bernard Fergusson was awarded an honorary degree later in 1966 by the University of Canterbury
, the NZRA and around 400 supporters tried to block Worcester Street (which was on the Governor-General's route to the university), chanting "We object to the honorary degree, the honorary degree" to the tune of The Beatles
Yellow Submarine
. Around 200 students counter-protested with a banner reading "We Love the Gov".
In 1967, Jesson moved the Association to Auckland
and founded the original Republican Party of New Zealand
.
, not to be confused with the Association, is a much more moderate organisation than the Republican Association. However, the activism of the former organisation brought republicanism to the fore in New Zealand.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
with the aim of supporting the creation of a New Zealand republic
Republicanism in New Zealand
Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic...
.
History
The Association was founded by left-wing activist Bruce JessonBruce Jesson
Bruce Edward Jesson was a left wing journalist, author and political figure in New Zealand.-Early life:Bruce Edward Jesson was the son of Victor John and Edna Cavell Jesson and the great-grandson of an immigrant from Leicestershire,UKHe was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School Bruce Edward...
in 1966, and gained wide publicity for its anti-royal activism, including the burning of the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
and protesting during Royal visits. When the Governor-General
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
Bernard Fergusson was awarded an honorary degree later in 1966 by the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
, the NZRA and around 400 supporters tried to block Worcester Street (which was on the Governor-General's route to the university), chanting "We object to the honorary degree, the honorary degree" to the tune of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine (song)
"Yellow Submarine" is a 1966 song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney , with lead vocals by Ringo Starr. It was included on the Revolver album and issued as a single, coupled with "Eleanor Rigby". The single went to number 1 on every major British chart, remained at number 1 for four weeks...
. Around 200 students counter-protested with a banner reading "We Love the Gov".
In 1967, Jesson moved the Association to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
and founded the original Republican Party of New Zealand
New Zealand Republican Party (1967)
The New Zealand Republican Party of 1967 was a political party which campaigned for the creation of a New Zealand republic. It was founded by Bruce Jesson in 1967, and was linked to the Republican Association....
.
Legacy
The contemporary Republican MovementRepublican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand is an organisation formed in 1994 whose object is to support the creation of a New Zealand republic . It is Chaired by Lewis Holden. The patron of the Movement is Keri Hulme, a New Zealand writer famous for her 1985 Booker Prize winning novel The Bone...
, not to be confused with the Association, is a much more moderate organisation than the Republican Association. However, the activism of the former organisation brought republicanism to the fore in New Zealand.