Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Favoured To Become President

Media Release Republican Movement

MEDIA RELEASE: 3 November 2008

"The votes are in and counted for New Zealand's first 'presidential' election - just a day before the US goes to the polls to elect a new president" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Over 3,000 votes were cast in the final poll on Republican Movement's President of New Zealand website, which allowed New Zealanders to nominate and then vote for their preferred head of State.

"From the final five candidates Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has won by 1,300 votes" continued Mr Holden.

"The website proves New Zealanders are perfectly capable of selecting a New Zealander as their head of State. Voters expressed a preference for academic and cultural leaders over any former political leaders."

The Republican Movement intends to hold more elections of this nature in the future.

ENDS

Media contact: Lewis Holden 027 699 1350 (m)

The Republican Movement is a network of New Zealanders who want our head of state to be elected by New Zealanders - either directly or indirectly.

We are committed to:

* involving all New Zealanders in the republic debate;

* providing relevant and reliable information;

* focusing on ideas, not personalities;

* winning a referendum to establish the republic;

Creating a republic does not require any change to the Treaty of Waitangi, flag or Commonwealth membership. For more information, see our website: www.republic.org.nz [1]

ENDS

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