The independence of New Zealand is a matter of continued academic and social debate. New Zealand has no fixed date of independence, instead independence came about as a result of New Zealand's evolving constitutional status. New Zealand evolved as one of the British Dominions, colonies within the British Empire which gradually established progressively greater degrees of self-rule. They were always anomalous in international terms, and the attempt to define a "date of independence" in the sense that one can be given for most ex-colonies is not really meaningful. In many ways it is an example of the Sorites Paradox. However, a consideration of possible dates can help understanding of the processes of change.
Read more about Independence Of New Zealand: Context, Independence in The New Zealand Flag Debate, Independence in The Republic Debate
Famous quotes containing the words independence and/or zealand:
“It is my duty to prevent, through the independence of Cuba, the U.S.A. from spreading over the West Indies and falling with added weight upon other lands of Our America. All I have done up to now and shall do hereafter is to that end.... I know the Monster, because I have lived in its lair—and my weapon is only the slingshot of David.”
—José Martí (1853–1895)
“Teasing is universal. Anthropologists have found the same fundamental patterns of teasing among New Zealand aborigine children and inner-city kids on the playgrounds of Philadelphia.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)