Justice Minister Judith Collins told Parliament this was outdated and could no longer be justified. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Justice Minister Judith Collins told Parliament this was outdated and could no longer be justified. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A bill which changes the royal line of succession to remove restrictions for women and Catholics has passed its first stage amid claims that it was irrelevant and discriminatory.
The Royal Succession Bill was supported by all parties except the Greens and Mana - who abstained - at its firstreading last night.
New Zealand and 15 other countries of which the Queen is head of state must pass legislation to match British laws on royal succession.
The bill will make sure that succession was not dependent on gender. When passed, an older sister will precede a younger son in the line to the throne.
The royal succession now favours males over females.
Justice Minister Judith Collins told Parliament this was outdated and could no longer be justified.
"It is important that our constitutional institutions such as the monarch retain ... their history and tradition. But it is also important that the rules that govern these institutions evolve to reflect the times in which we live."
The bill will also remove the restriction which bars a person who is married to a Catholic from the throne. However, the legislation will not allow a Catholic to become monarch - a new king or queen will still have to swear an oath to the Anglican religion.
