Who do you think should be NZ’s next Governor-General?
July 25th, 2010 at 9:00 am by David FarrarThe Governor-General is our effective head of state, and we will get a new one announced around April 2011, to take office from August 2011.
Sadly our current constitutional arrangements means that the Governor-General is chosen solely by the Prime Minister. The decision isn’t even ratified by Cabinet, let alone Parliament. The PM can also effectively sack the Governor-General.
The Republican Movement is holding a mock nomination process for Governor-General, in anticipation of the day when more than one New Zealander will get to decide who the effective Head of State will be.
There is an information page here, and you can make your own nominations here.
I tend to favour former Judges, as they have generally been kept well away from partisan politics.
July 25th, 2010 at 9:03 am
John Wayne, no, damn, he’s dead.
Ok, Walt Disney. No, he won’t get on with Israel.
And he’s dead too.
Ok how about Justin Timberlake. Snappy dresser, great voice, five star acting skills.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Basil Marceaux, if he doesn’t get to be elected as governor of Tennessee…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpgVEyd87-8&feature=player_embedded
We’ve had foreigners as the GG before, and they’d be sure to be independent.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Richard Lloyd Herbert.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Justice Wilson (-
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Dame Margaret Bazeley
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Harvey Norman.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:46 am
The classy, well-behaved, polished, impeccably-dressed, and sophisticated Tama Iti.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:49 am
“Ok, Walt Disney. No, he won’t get on with Israel.”
In the interest of quashing Mickey Mouse comments about Walt Disney – it was the Jews of Hollywood who didn’t get on with Disney, rather than the other way around.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:01 am
There is no-one more deserving than Helen Klark. (GAG GAG)
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Trevor Rupe (aka Carmen) The Queen’s queen?
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Heh how about Hone Harawera?
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Pete Bethune?
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Who else but Chris Carter!!
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Why a judge?
What about Kev Kiwi, Wal Footrot, Fred Dagg and all those other ordinary blokes and shielas getting a go?
How about a national lottery, the winner gets to be GG for 2 years?
A properly run lottery should also raise sufficient cash to fund the GG’s office thus removing a burden on the public purse.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I’m amazed no one else has suggested Buck!
Bring back Buck
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:37 am
The Queen
Just to annoy the republicans…
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Yes! Chris(tine) Carter would make a wonderful GG.
Knowing his penchant for overseas junkets, I can foresee the shameless trougher will be overseas 99% of the time, which can only be good for NZ. He will die to have a go at a job which offers endless diplomatic receptions, buckets of French champagne and the finest available food, let alone the opportunity for receiving relaxing “massages”.
Of course, Carter will do it because is his moral duty to represent our country, but before accepting he’ll have to make a phone call to New York.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Come on guys get real there is only one who stands out. The Mad Butcher. He got my nomination anyhow.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Toss up between SBW and Benji Marshall.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Young Andrew Haden seems to get on with everyone.
He’d be my pick.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
How about a white male? Last GG have been wither ethnics or women, surely when 35% of NZ are white males it should be statiscally probable that this should occur.
Vote:PS. Same goes for the UN as well.
July 25th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Bannermarama, Bennybananna, Banjopyjamas … oh s**t, you know the guy, yep that one out there in the South Pacific.
Vote:Sure knows how to control the pollies and, as for the media, like shooting ducks in a barrell. Wears a snappy skirt too … clearly to show solidarity with the transgender community. Wouldn’t cost much as we could sell off both Government Houses and fashion a Bure for him on Soames Island.
July 25th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I’m told its already a done deal between John Key and the Maori Party.
The next GG (as someone has already guessed above) is Hone Harawira.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
The next GG should be Michael Laws. imagine that, a GG who listened to the people.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
If not Laws then perhaps Christine Rankin.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Lazybum 12:01 pm,
I’ll second that, Lazybum.
What are your plans in the short term foreseeable future, Red?
“His Excellency The Honourable Redbaiter” has a certain ring about it …
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Ha Ha some funny ones here. Michael Laws the funniest though.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
A born and bred New Zealander.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I agree that the G-G should be chosen by more than one person… but not by a public vote, please. If we do that then we will (by definition) get politicians in the role. Anyone who is not a politician has to become one to win. Helen Clark will be a shoe-in.
That it turn opens a constitutional can of worms over the division of authority between G-G and PM. How long before a G-G, elected with 55% of the vote starts to play politics and exert pressure on a PM who has a far smaller mandate – who maybe has come to power between elections? We could end up with chaos.
I would prefer the choice of G-G to require a 75% ratification by Parliament. Ironically, that is the surest way of making sure no politician gets the job and it goes to a neutral, unifying figure who everyone can respect.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Tim Shadbolt
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
“What are your plans in the short term foreseeable future, Red?”
I’m a straight white Conservative male.
As much chance of me getting the nomination as Obama making Pope.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Whomever – harmless. At least compared with what we would get in a President with all the accompanying bureaucracy. Helen Clark is a sitter for first president if NZ becomes a republic any time soon. So wait for at least 30 years, please.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
John Clarke. No-one understands politicians better.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Chloe of Wainui/Naenae/Hamilton. A true Kiwi icon. Great taste in footwear too.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
The Maori King… or was that just a movement….
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Redbaiter (10,616) Says:
July 25th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I’m told its already a done deal between John Key and the Maori Party.
The next GG (as someone has already guessed above) is Hone Harawira.
**************
Ahh ,no, Hone is not polished enough. Its his mum for the job.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Redbaiter 1:24 pm,
As many regard OB1 as the Messiah, wouldn’t Pope be a step down?
But I agree – a queer non-white liberal does have a better chance of making the next GG.
Vote:It’s a queer world we live in [afterall].
July 25th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
“It’s a queer world we live in [afterall].”
A song for you Kris. Keep praying for me!
Vote:
July 25th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Nobody should be the next Governor General. I should be appointed Lord Protector of New Zealand, after which I will abolish all government departments other than the Justice Department, abolish taxes on everyone other than convicted criminals, restore the rights to property and self defence, legalise all drugs, and shoot all the politicians. You can then abolish my position and pension me off to Waiheke. Thank you very much. Let’s do it.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Here is your fate BlairM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WarwickCastle_CromwellDeathmask.JPG
In 1661, Oliver Cromwell’s body was exhumed from Westminster Abbey, and was subjected to the ritual of a posthumous execution, as were the remains of John Bradshaw and Henry Ireton. (The body of Cromwell’s daughter was allowed to remain buried in the Abbey.) Symbolically, this took place on 30 January; the same date that Charles I had been executed. His body was hanged in chains at Tyburn. Finally, his disinterred body was thrown into a pit, while his severed head was displayed on a pole outside Westminster Hall until 1685. Ironically the Cromwell vault was then used as a burial place for Charles II’s illegitimate descendants.[100] Afterwards the head changed hands several times, including the sale in 1814 to a man named Josiah Henry Wilkinson,[101][102] before eventually being buried in the grounds of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1960.[103][104]
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Good for you Blair.
Vote:I might vote for you if you
1. Abolish taxes on retirement income and limit Benefit to fixed term based on paid in
2. Make all Govt and local Govt OIA available on a searchble database on the web.
3. make all govt and local govt cheques over $1000 available on a searchble database on the web.
4. Make prisons two tier and pay their way
5. Sack any MP who lied in/to parliament.
6. Limit MP terms to three (3) and PM’s to two (2).
7. Make referendums binding on parliament and give us recall on pollies.
8. Stop all aid to countries that aren’t democracies
9. Make Sharia Law illegal.
10. make sure no pollie can ever be GG.
July 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I say David Carruthers
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Phillip Ure
(www.imafuckwit@whore.co.somewhere)
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Basil Brush
Boom boom
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Ayatollah Mohammad Bagher Kharrazi.
We’ll stone you Jimmy if you take the piss!!!!
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=175619
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Jeanette Fitzsimons with Sue Bradford as co- GG
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
What does the GG do again?
It probably won’t matter if they pluck someone from the street really.
A judge? Hell no. Judges are just as political as politicians. They cant be seen to be going in the opposite direction so ina away they are political.
Michael Laws – yeah, a GG who wears eye-liner and loves the sound of his own voice and thinks every non-white is brown ferral underclass…hmm.
Hone harawera – now that would be funny because we know it will actually be mama Hone running the show.
Sue Bradford – she needs to retire completely. Don’t want to see her again.
supporting http://www.angel-charlene.com
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I insist Carter is a shoe-in. Think of it, we have had already the ethnic one (the current GG), the feminist (Cartwright), the righteous wowser (Reeves), the uneducated lazy Aucklander (Tizard), the elitist (Hardie-Boyes), so it’s time for an aging homosexual.
TAB paying $1.01 on Chris(tine) Carter.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Seriously folks ,this is a piss take.
DPF is a republican,so it’s a bad thing when the PM alone gets to decide sumting.
On other issues it’s OK,presumably,when Cabinet(how many of them)decides our futures.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Sir Wilson Whineray.
Just in time for the RWC.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
@Johnboy 4:01 – Ok if we’re going to go all gruesome on deceased heads of state not being left to rest in peace… spare a thought for Pope Formosus, whose rotting corpse was exhumed by Pope Stephen VI, propped up in court and put on trial in the Cadaver Synod of 897 !
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
KK: I bet Pope Formous could win New Plymouth if he stood against that Little dead fish that Liarbore are going to put up.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I could go with Sir Wilson Whineray, too. But at 75 he might be considered a bit old. Sir Brian Lochore would do. He’s only 70.
I could also offer Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson.
Why does it have to be a judge? Of the current crop in the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal … who?
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
The Ginganut Darren Hughes. A job where he won’t have to do much work.
Phil Goff
Vote:Sir John Anderson
Ray Avery
Sir Paul Callaghan
Jamie Bellich
July 25th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Scrap the job. Get queenie on Skype when forming a government and then again later when dissolving parliament. Sell the flashy refurbished Government House as a boutique hotel, shoot the corgis. Job done.
Vote:July 25th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Dr John Hood, although on second thoughts I’d rather have him for Mayor of Auckland supercity
Vote:July 26th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Puzzled in Ekatahuna in the itnerests of accutracy it was Walt Disney who volunteered to denouce others in hollywood to the McCarthy Commsion. Apprently the Jews don’t run Hollywood.
Shit don’t ya just hate it when the facts don’t back up your assertions. Get back tio cashing the cows off main street.
Vote:July 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Rugby World Cup Year. Nothing better than a great stalwart like Brian Lachore, Wilson Winnery or the great one himself, Sir Colin Meads!
Vote:July 26th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Just not another fat Indian no-one has ever heard of.
Vote:Spare us a former All Black or a rower or any other sports jock.
Someone who looks good in a uniform and feather plumes.
July 27th, 2010 at 2:31 am
Good for you Blair.
I might vote for you if you
Who said anything about voting? I’m like Garibaldi – I’m gunna form a militia here in Texas and invade your ass. Watch out for me
Vote: