Republican John Key will become the prime minister of New Zealand following the success of his National Party in the general election last weekend.
Mr. Key has said that it is “inevitable” that his country will become a republic. He believes this might happen when Elizabeth Windsor ceases to be Britain’s hereditary head of state or when neighbouring Australia moves towards a republican constitution.
Mr. Key is a 47-year old former investment banker who has led the conservative National Party since 2006.
The people of New Zealand are unable to choose their own head of state at present but share Britain’s feudal “queen”.