Greens call for new parliamentary oath

The Green Party is calling for the parliamentary oath to be modernised and says there is public support for the change.

An online survey of more than 650 people, conducted by the Greens, found around three quarters opposed the current oath to the Queen, while more than 90 percent would support an alternative oath in which MPs pledged to do their best for Aotearoa/New Zealand.

More than 70 percent supported including commitments to protect the environment and honour the Treaty of Waitangi.

"The Green Party wants Parliament to be modern and unique to New Zealand and who we are now. The current oath is old fashioned and out of step with who we are as a nation," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

"Our survey indicates the public support change. All too often, Parliament lags behind the will of the people and where they are at.

"The oath has become increasingly irrelevant both to MPs and to the wider public. It is time for a review and an update.

"We do not serve as MPs out of any sense of loyalty to the British monarch — our loyalty is to New Zealand and our unique place in the world.

"In order to be meaningful, the oath needs to be relevant to both the MP making it and to the New Zealanders they serve. The problem with the current oath is it does neither adequately."

In the past, MPs from several parties, including the Green Party, have varied the oath to incorporate intent to honour the Treaty of Waitangi. However, the Speaker has now made it clear that unless MPs use only the approved words, then they will not be permitted to take their seats.

"Green MPs have chosen to take the legally prescribed oath this term but are pushing for modernisation," said Mrs Turei.

"The Government should initiate a cross-party process to modernise the oath and other practices, like the daily prayer, which have become out of step with the views of New Zealanders.

"New Zealand has a unique and vibrant culture of our own. Our parliamentary practices should reflect our uniqueness."

Results of Green Party survey on the parliamentary oath

The Green Party undertook an informal online survey on possible changes to the parliamentary oath.

The survey was hosted by Survey Monkey and ran December 15-18, 2011.

Participants were self-selecting. The Green Party promoted the survey through the Green Party Facebook page and via social media.

We do not purport the findings to be statistically conclusive, but rather indicative of an appetite to modernise the parliamentary oath.