New Zealand wants to ditch Queen as head of state

Elizabeth II is 90 years-old and has been the official head of state for United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms since February 6, 1952.

The English monarch has made the news in recent years when she met with Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle and former IRA commander, Martin McGuinness.

A poll carried out by New Zealand Republic, a republican pressure group, found 59 per cent of people were in favour of replacing the English monarch with an independent head of state while 34 per cent said they would like to keep the monarchy when a new head of state is confirmed.

Elizabeth II meets NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle. (
Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons) — Elizabeth II meets NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle. ( Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons)

Interestingly, the poll shows a shift towards independent rule when compared to a similar poll from 2014 in which 47 per cent of people said they wanted to keep the monarchy.

Of the 59 per cent of people who voted for an independent head of state, 44 per cent said they would like he or she to be democratically elected while 15 per cent said they were happy to see the head of state elected by parliament.