Kiwis want to ditch the Queen as their head of state in favour of a New Zealander, new poll reveals 

  • Royal Family could be set to lose its role as head of state in New Zealand
  • Just 34 per cent of those asked want to carry on with a British head of state
  • Poll conducted for campaigners NZ Republic asked 1,006 people over 18

By Mail Foreign Service

Published: 20:09 EST, 4 September 2016 | Updated: 01:07 EST, 5 September 2016

Britain's Royal Family could be set to lose its role as head of state in New Zealand, a new poll has revealed.

The study - published in New Zealand yesterday shows that just 34 per cent of those asked want to carry on with a British head of state.

A substantial majority - 59 per cent - say they would rather sever the country's centuries old ties with Britain and have a New Zealander as the nation's figurehead.

Britain's Royal Family could be set to lose its role as head of state in New Zealand, a new poll has revealed

Britain's Royal Family could be set to lose its role as head of state in New Zealand, a new poll has revealed

The study - published in New Zealand yesterday shows that just 34 per cent of those asked want to carry on with a British head of state

NZ Republic chairman Savage said the UK's Brexit vote and Prince Charles's and Camilla's official visit to New Zealand (pictured) last year had also turned off New Zealanders

NZ Republic chairman Savage said the UK's Brexit vote and Prince Charles's and Camilla's official visit to New Zealand (pictured) last year had also turned off New Zealanders

The poll - conducted for campaigners NZ Republic - asked 1,006 people aged over 18 who they want as a head of state.

Just a third - 34 per cent - said the British royal family should continue.

But 44 per cent wanted a directly elected New Zealand head of state and 15 per cent wanted a leader elected by MPs.

Only seven per cent were recorded as don't knows.

Barely two years ago, just 44 per cent of New Zealanders asked the same question wanted a change from the Queen.

Only weeks ago the head of the country's Maori population King Tuheitia (pictured) called for native New Zealanders to have a role in the country's sovereignty

Only weeks ago the head of the country's Maori population King Tuheitia (pictured) called for native New Zealanders to have a role in the country's sovereignty

The Queen receives the New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and her husband Professor Peter Davis in 2003

The Queen receives the New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and her husband Professor Peter Davis in 2003

The dramatic swing, says NZ Republic chairman Savage has been caused by a recent referendum over whether the national flag should still contain the Union Jack.

Nearly half - 43.27 per cent - wanted to ditch the Union Jack for a new flag with a silver and black fern.

He said the UK's Brexit vote and Prince Charles's and Camilla's official visit to New Zealand last year had also turned off New Zealanders.

Only weeks ago the head of the country's Maori population King Tuheitia called for native New Zealanders to have a role in the country's sovereignty.

He told other tribal leaders: 'We will fail to get the best opportunities for our people and us if you as the leadership become afraid to achieve a shared success in our communities and in our country, a shared success that means Maaori sharing sovereignty as well.' 

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