New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has said that she expects her country could become a republic within her lifetime.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Guardian before she flies to London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm), Ardern said there was great fondness for the members of the royal family whenever they visited New Zealand.
And although could not remember the last time a voter had asked her about becoming a republic, and admittign it was not a priority for her administration, she did believe New Zealand would eventually transition away from the monarchy.
“When I have been asked for an opinion, I think within my lifetime I think it is a likelihood we will transition. It is not something this government is prioritising at all though.
“The most important thing for New Zealand is we have a very special arrangement and relationship via our Treaty of Waitangi, and the relationship between Maori and the Crown, so before any conversation like that occurs, that is something that will needed to be resolved within New Zealand.”
In the Guardian interview Ardern reveals how she is faring as the new leader of her country and how her life has changed since she became prime minister.
She says she has been given words of advice from former US president Barack Obama who visited New Zealand for the first time last week.
Obama encouraged her to accept that she was doing her best, and a certain level of guilt came with the territory of running a country.
“I did ask him how he dealt with guilt,” says Ardern, who is expecting her first child in June and spoke to Obama about how he juggled leadership and family life.
For more read the full of article at The Guardian
