Carterton

Opinion Opinion

Charles in charge: What can we expect?

The Queen is dead – long live the King.

I’ll begin by off ering my condolences and aroha to all those mourning all those mourning Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth II – including II – including

PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES in Wairarapa.

I’ve made my antiroyalist sentiments fairly clear in the past. But, I’ll admit it: Elizabeth herself was iconic. Throughout all the upheavals and turmoil of the last 70 years, she was a constant – the essence of fi delity, tenacity and service above self.

I feel for her whanau. Especially for the new King Charles III: Stepping into the literal role of a lifetime while grieving a parent cannot be easy. In Aotearoa, we’re at the start of a new era, with Charles as Head of State. At present, New Zealanders seem hesitant to dip their toes into the republican debate – and neither of our major political parties are keen to sign divorce papers with the monarchy. Like it or not, we have a new King of New Zealand.

So, who is Charles III?

Put simply, he’s divisive. To his fans, he’s a class act. He has been a staunch advocate for climate action most of his adult life. At his investiture as Prince of Wales, he addressed the crowd in Welsh – a language which had, similar to te reo, been practically beaten out of its people. He is a proponent of organic farming, has spoken out against Islamophobia, and helped millions of disadvantaged youth through his charity.

His detractors cite his aloofness and social awkwardness, extravagance, and promotion of alternative medicine – and the donations to the Prince’s Trust from the Bin Laden family. Plus, as royal watchers have noted, the spectre of Princess Diana still looms large. Diana has legions of young devotees – largely thanks to Netfl ix’s The Crown – who are none too pleased to see her exhusband on the throne.

Even Charles’ progressiveness has come under fi re. In 2015, he faced backlash for his “black spider memos” – his attempts to lobby the UK government on everything from military helicopters to badger culls.

Understandably, the pundits are biting their nails. Britain’s Bill of Rights implicitly states the monarch must remain politically neutral, and the Crown must accept the will of the democratically elected government of the day.

As King, Charles cannot play activist. That said, the royal family’s star power and cultural infl uence are undeniable. Charles has the platform to lead by example – which he has already done, by installing solar panels at his homes and converting his Aston Martin to run on bioethanol fuel. It’ll be interesting to see if Buckingham Palace goes green under his leadership.

My question – if Charles is as forward-thinking

as he claims, will he use that energy to bring The Firm into the 21st century? Beloved as the queen was, polls have shown the British public is increasingly disenchanted by the monarchy: An institution costing the taxpayer a fortune, mired in scandal, and carrying a brutal legacy of colonialism and enslavement. clear in the past. But, I’ll admit it: Elizabeth herself As Britain struggles with soaring infl ation, will the King make good was iconic. Throughout all on his word to streamline the upheavals and turmoil the royal household? of the last 70 years, she was Will he pay tax? Address a constant – the essence allegations of racism of fi delity, tenacity and within the palace? Make service above self. reparations to those lands

I feel for her whanau. and people pillaged and Especially for the new oppressed by the Empire? King Charles III: Stepping Charles has already into the literal role of expressed his “deep a lifetime while sorrow” for the eff ects grieving a parent of the transatlantic slave cannot be easy. trade – and there’ll be a lot In Aotearoa, of people waiting for him we’re at the start to put his money where his of a new era, mouth is. with Charles In short, Charles is as Head complex. Like for any world of State. At leader, his reign will, no present, New doubt, have its ups and Zealanders seem downs. I, personally, won’t hesitant to dip be watching on the edge their toes into the of my seat. But, for the republican debate royalists of Wairarapa, I – and neither hope the new Carolean era of our major is good to you. political parties I wish Charles well. And are keen to sign hope there are fewer leaky pens in his future.

Young(ish), scrappy & hungry Erin Kavanagh-Hall

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Roger Boulter for Carterton Council

A background to add value

“My background as an urban and transport planner can help some of our pressing challenges. “Can we make our town centre inviting even with a state highway and trucks passing through – so people to want pay us a visit? “Can we push more frequent Wairarapa rail services up the Regional Council’s and the Government’s agenda, to get a regular, hourly Wellington passenger service – and more logs off road and onto rail? “I’ve worked professionally to develop nationwide and Wairarapa rail services, and have planned and delivered successful bike trails. “I’ve also worked professionally on urban design and town centre ‘place making’, and for orderly, cost-efficient rather than haphazard urban growth. “I’ll add value as your councillor”.