Support for monarchy up in wake of wedding

Prince William kisses his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. ...
Prince William kisses his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham
New Zealand approval of the British monarchy has surged in the wake of last week's royal wedding, a survey has found.

A UMR research poll carried out in the past week found approval of the Royal family leapt to 74 percent, up from the 60 percent it stood at in July 2002 when the question was last asked.

In 2005, 58 percent of Kiwis thought New Zealand would become a republic in the next 20 years, but now 52 percent do not expect that to take place.

The survey found 58 percent of New Zealanders were opposed to the country becoming a republic, with 24 percent supporting it and 18 percent unsure.

More than half of (53 percent) closely watched last week's union of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Of those who disapprove of the Royal family, 32 percent watched the wedding, while 42 percent of Republicans also watched it.

UMR's telephone poll randomly surveyed 750 New Zealanders aged 18 years and over. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percent.

Add a Comment