Vice-Regal Saint: New Zealand Restores Knighthoods!
News to swell loyal hearts from the happy plot at the bottom of the Earth. 
The Queen receives the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Hon. John Key MP, at Buckingham Palace, 25 November 2008.
This is huge. It is being reported that New Zealand is to restore the rank of Sir and Dame to its honours system nine years after it abolished titles in favour of Republican-style distinctions.
If we called Prime Minister John Key a limousine liberal in the recent past, we do at this moment take it all back. I mean, wow. What a glorious turn of events. Hallelujah for rare political miracles. By George, he did it!
Come on Australia and Canada, do the right thing, and follow New Zealand's lead. If a foreigner like Ted Kennedy is allowed to accept the honour of a knighthood from the Queen, it is only our ancient God-given right as Her Majesty's own subjects to be permitted the same.
Why the fall of Helengrad was a good thing. Happy Commonwealth Day indeed.
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15 comments:
What fabulous news for a drizzly Monday morning! Here in Germany no-one remotely interested in the Commonwealth could ever grasp why some realms bestowed knighthoods and others had ceased to in recent years. While there are bound to be knighthoods with a political whiff about them (unavoidable as no goverment will ever loosen its grip on nominations) Sirs and Dames reflect heritage and history far better than gongs designed by committees. Might be going to buy a good bottle of New Zealand wine to mark the occasion.
Terrific news! I've been near apoplexy to hear of moves to replace the Manitoban flag by NDP nobodies with no doubt something approximating a local hockey team (to 'sell' a province by betraying those who lived and died to create it). A most timely intervention from New Zealand!
Wonderful news, I had heard a rumour months ago this would happen.
We should note Kennedy's knighthood is 'honorary'.
Now, end the nonsense of Nickle, my dear Canada.
The Kiwi corporate shill is not as dumb as he looks; a knighthood has always fetched a good price in the political donation stakes.
Predictably, nuch of the media here in NZ has been making much of the return to a "colonial" honours system. Labour politicians in particular have been quick to lambast the return of knighthoods - mostly on the grounds that it isn't the NZ thing to "do" titles.
I wonder why no reporter ever asks why Clarke then didn't do away with "Rt Hon" and "Hon" for titles for ministers or why the previous deputy leader of the Labour party always objected to the speaker if he wasn't refered to as Dr Cullen?
Naturally I am delighted that worthy New Zealander's contributions will easily recongised by others.
My hope is that the honours system is taken to the next logical point and taken out of the hands of party-politics and managed by a truley independant secriteriate to avoid the blantant political appointments which have occassionaly blighted honours lists in the past.
Mac
That's good! They don't give them out in Australia any more but the Queen can give a knighthoods to Australians personally if she wishers.
Republic sentiments are far stronger in Australia than New Zealand even in supposedly conservative parties.
Funnily enough Anon, John Key actually unilaterally abolished the title "Rt. Hon" and said the government wouldn't appoint anyone to HM's Privy Council. So it's 1 all on that count...
Lewis, close but not quite. Mr Key has not "unilaterly abolished" the title Rt Hon. He has continued with Clarks' descision not to make any recommendations to the UK PM for NZ appointments to the privy council. Those who are council members continue to hold the title.
Mac
The chances of an Australian republic before you or I hit middle age is zero, David - and even the ARM is admitting it!!
http://tinyurl.com/bvs7qb
Don't forget - there are loads of undeclared monarchists in the parliamentary ALP (but only one declared one - Jack Snelling, Speaker of the SA Parliament), and if there is ever another referendum in Australia, you'll be able to count one hand the number of conservatives who'll back direct election.
It's over. I'd like to see imaginative constitutionalists in Australia get back on the front foot by supporting bringing back AKs and ADs, for staters.
'99 Referendum Veteran, I'm 41 I thought that was middle aged:) Anyway I would like to see a return to Knighthoods.
Mac wrote: "My hope is that the honours system is taken to the next logical point and taken out of the hands of party-politics and managed by a truley independant secriteriate to avoid the blantant political appointments which have occassionaly blighted honours lists in the past."
I would think such a secretariat already exists in the Governor General. Surly the GG has someone who can read through all the honors recommendations and cull the unworthy.
This news makes my immigration to NZ all the more likely.
Most fansastic news. Maybe the Queen should knight Mr. Key for this noble action.
That venerable statesman, the Right Honourable Sir John Key, appointed as Governor-General in 2025? Perhaps he's more ambitious than we realised.
Matt,
At present the NZ Honours Secretariat is part of the cabinet office. Effectively honours are the personal ministerial prerogative of the Prime Minister, with some sadly predictable party-poltical appointments in the past.
Personally, I would much prefer to see a non-partisan Secretariate chaired by the GG, with the GG having a veto / deciding vote if required.
Mac
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