Proposed reforms are detailed and practical. They streamline the current arrangement and use the existing role of Governor-General as the basis for a new head of state. They replace the Monarch and Governor-General with a single, democratically selected, New Zealand head of state.
The current constitutional reserve powers would remain in place. The role would still be based at Government House. The traditions and ceremonial aspects that have developed since New Zealanders were first appointed to the position of Governor-General 50 years ago will continue.
Some advocate giving the reformed head of state an additional power to return or defer legislation when it is in the public interest to do so. While common overseas, our multi-party Parliament should make this unnecessary.
Updating our electoral system has always been about making it fairer and more effective. The same is true of the head of state reform. As with MMP, the long-term reform process would involve indicative and binding public referenda. An appointed advisory group would make recommendations on details like the term of office or the best method of appointment. A subsequent review will recommend adjustments or fine tuning.
One decision to make is whether to use direct or indirect selection. Polling shows direct election is favoured by three to one but others are concerned the role might become politicised by direct election. An indirect selection process, via a two-thirds majority in Parliament, is a more conservative, lower-cost approach.
Some are also wary a popular MP could use cross-party support to win election to a constitutional role but this wouldn't happen unless a clear majority decides they are worthy of the role.
The office of head of state is not a career path for former parliamentarians. The people we can expect to see in the role are the type of people who have already become Governor-General: New Zealanders who are dignified, diplomatic and down-to-earth.
Respected academics, judges, military, business, charity, community and church leaders, senior public servants in Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, the Law Commission or the Ombudsman are the likely and leading contenders.
Opponents of change too often ignore, misunderstand or misrepresent how a constitutional head of state functions in relation to Parliament and rely on emotive generalisations about the monarchy.
Royalty will not disappear from New Zealand magazines. The Palace PR team and the news media will continue to produce royal news stories. Royal watchers will still be able to celebrate if that is what they want to do.
The Treaty of Waitangi will not be affected. The reconciliation process will continue. The status of Parliament as "the Crown" and as a Treaty partner will be made clearer.
Those wary or unsure of the word republic need not worry. No one is advocating a United States-style system. The change will simply recategorise us from being a constitutional monarchy to being a constitutional republic. It is a straightforward shift that aims to make us more stable and democratic.
There are no sudden shifts or radical proposals here. The suggested reforms solve the monarchy problem with meaningful, cost-effective improvements to our constitution.
Change is clearly necessary and it will take a decade or so to develop and implement these improvements. We do not need the monarchy and we are better off without it. New Zealanders are perfectly capable of choosing their own head of state and looking after their own constitution.
Savage is an Auckland writer and film-maker. He was co-founder and is deputy chairman of the Republic Movement's Head of State campaign.
