Both of the parties will now seek to form a coalition with the minor parties in order to reach the 61 seats required.
Bill English became Prime Minister of New Zealand in December 2016 following the surprise resignation of his predecessor, John KeyMr English became the 16th Prime Minister to have governed over the country during Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. He has previously expressed his support for the continuation of the monarchy in New Zealand.
His rival, Jacinda Ardern, has expressed republican tendencies in the past. Speaking to The Times, Ms Ardern said: “I am a republican, but you will find there are people in New Zealand who aren’t actively pursuing that change.
“It’s certainly not about my view of the monarchy but my view of New Zealand’s place in the world and carving out our own future. So that is what drives my sentiment.”
The Queen and the governmental system of Constitutional Monarchy are becoming less popular in New Zealand as the years go by. A poll conducted last year suggests 60 per cent of people favouring becoming a republic, rising to 76 per cent among those aged 18 to 30.
The poll showed that young people, in particular, were keen to cut ties with Britain, with 76 per cent of those between the ages of 18 to 30 wanting to become a republic.
However, Ms Ardern does say that the debate on whether to lose the Monarchy will be an uncomfortable situation.
She said: “No matter when you have the conversation there’s a knock-on effect, there’s a much-loved monarch who will be affected by that decision.”
Even if she remains unelected, Ms Ardern’s comments no doubt reopen the conversation over The Queen’s role in modern day Australiasia.
