Freedom New Zealand

Former Prime Minister Mike Moore has launched a move to review New Zealand's constitutional arrangements - including consideration of becoming a republic.

Writing for today's Herald, Mr Moore argues that the likelihood of Australia once again considering republicanism and the dangers here of continuing "ad hoc" changes to the way the country is run meant that careful, planned constitutional review should be held.

His proposal, similar to a private bill he put forward before leaving Parliament in 1999, would have a group of "Eminent Persons" appointed to investigate the options for a written constitution, the advisability of New Zealand becoming a republic and, if so, whether it should be like the American, French, Irish or German system.

That group would report to a constitutional convention, made up mainly of New Zealanders selected at a general election. The convention would make a recommendation, with voters deciding by referendum on any change.

Mr Moore writes: "I once opposed having a constitution because of our European traditions and enlightenment values, which we reject at our peril. Now I'm for change because we are eroding those age-old principles.

"The present direction is visionless, dangerously ad hoc, short term and confusing. Democracy is about who runs the country. A constitution is about the limits of government."

The former director-general of the World Trade Organisation cited the abolition of the right of appeal to the Privy Council, the lack of a follow-up referendum on MMP, calls for the abolition of the Maori seats in Parliament, calls for the Treaty of Waitangi to be the constitution, and the breaking of multi-party consensus on issues such as electoral finance laws as reasons to hold a review.

"Constitutional change ought not to be rushed or hurried, and should only be entered into after deliberate, detailed and sober consideration, consultation and reflection," he writes.