A former deputy prime minister says it is inevitable that New Zealand will become a republic.
Michael Cullen told the Reconstituting the Constitution conference at Parliament on Thursday that New Zealand could start the process now because the Government must chose a new Governor-General next year.
Dr Cullen says there is a legal problem with waiting for the Queen to die, because Prince Charles will become the King of New Zealand.
He acknowledges that opinion polls show the majority of New Zealanders favour retaining the monarchy, but says much of that is to do with the incumbent.
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