September 17th, 2024
Lewis Holden, Campaign Chair of New Zealand Republic, has expressed strong disapproval of the decision to feature King Charles III on New Zealand's currency, advocating instead for the recognition of New Zealand's own heroes. This position signifies a deep-seated call for national pride and identity, questioning the conventional symbols tied to New Zealand's colonial history.
Holden's remarks emphasise the potential for New Zealand's currency to celebrate local figures who embody the nation's spirit and achievements, rather than adhering to colonial-era symbols. This approach seeks to redefine what and who represents New Zealand on the global stage.
Holden's comments of the Reserve Bank's decision to use a "generic" Commonwealth effigy underscores a broader debate about national identity and the symbols that represent it. “There are plenty of New Zealand citizens far more worthy of being the 'heads' side of our coinage,” he noted, highlighting the missed opportunity to honour local figures.
The campaign for featuring New Zealand's own heroes on its currency is not just about changing faces on coins; it's about fostering a deeper sense of national pride and identity. By celebrating local heroes, New Zealand can offer a narrative that resonates more closely with its people's achievements and aspirations.
The call to feature local heroes on New Zealand's currency reflects a growing desire among many New Zealanders to see their country's identity more accurately and proudly reflected in its national symbols. This debate opens up a broader conversation about how nations choose to represent themselves and their values through such symbols.
