Andrew Little: NZ's head of state should be a Kiwi

Labour Party leader Andrew Little told TV One's Q+A that he believes a Kiwi should be New Zealand's head of state. Photo / Peter Meecham, file

New Zealand should have a Kiwi as head of state, Labour leader Andrew Little has said, just hours after the new royal baby was born.

The Opposition leader spoke of his republican views this morning, hours after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a 8lbs and 3oz (3.7kg) baby girl to their family late last night NZT.

The as yet unnamed baby will be known as the Princess of Cambridge, and will be fourth in line to the British throne.

But Mr Little said it was time New Zealand had its own head of state, instead of harking back to colonial ties with a British monarch as head.

Speaking to TV One's Q+A programme this morning, Mr Little said: "When it comes to our constitutional arrangements in New Zealand, I have a firm view that our head of state should come from New Zealand.

"We're an independent sovereign state, and we should be proud of who we are and express ourselves in that sort of way."

However, he said Prince William had "acquitted himself pretty well as a distant heir to the throne", and he and Kate "cut a good figure as a couple".

"So, let's enjoy that [the birth] for what it is."

Mr Little appeared on the show shortly after returning from a trip to London where he met with British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, and other senior members of the party.But he said he "wasn't there to fan-girl the impending new royal arrival".

Instead, he said he discussed "tactics" with Mr Miliband ahead of the UK general election.

He was "in the air" flying back to New Zealand when the new princess arrived, he said.