Only one-third of New Zealanders want Charles Windsor to become their head of state on the death of his mother, according to an opinion poll in the Herald on Sunday. But under the feudal system New Zealand shares with Britain, they will be barred from all say in the matter.
In the poll 43.3% of respondents rejected Mr. Windsor and only 37.4% said they would welcome him as head of state.
Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement commented that “Whatever their position, it’s obvious a majority of New Zealanders want there to be a referendum on the issue. It is the Republican Movement’s policy that a two-stage referendum be held, similar to the electoral system referendums of the 90s”
Windsor’s failure to win the support of New Zealanders followed what Mr. Holden called a “publicity tour” by the feudal boss last year that cost NZ$1m.