The news of Jacinda Ardern, a self-declared republican, accepting an honour from the British Crown feels like a betrayal of principles, especially for those of us committed to dismantling colonial and hierarchical systems. Ardern, who has in the past expressed support for New Zealand eventually becoming a republic, accepting recognition from the very institution that symbolises imperialism and colonisation is a clear contradiction. For anarchists, who believe in rejecting all forms of imposed authority and power, this act is deeply problematic.
At its core, the British Crown is an institution built on centuries of exploitation and subjugation, including the violent colonisation of Aotearoa. The colonial legacy of the Crown is not something confined to history books — it continues to shape the systemic inequalities and injustices that are woven into the very fabric of New Zealand society. By accepting this honour, Ardern is legitimising the role of the monarchy, a symbolic structure of power that represents not only colonial violence but also ongoing control and oppression.
For Māori, the impact of British colonisation remains all too real. The Crown continues to fail in its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with land injustices, disparities in health and wealth, and the over-representation of Māori in prisons still major issues today. Ardern, by accepting this accolade, appears to be turning her back on the struggle for true decolonisation and self-determination for tangata whenua. It’s a symbolic alignment with the same power structure that has disenfranchised Māori since 1840.
Anarchists reject not just the monarchy but any system that upholds class divisions, inherited privilege, and the concentration of power. The British monarchy is a relic of a time when rulers could claim divine right to govern, and its existence today only serves to perpetuate the inequalities of the past. Ardern’s decision to accept recognition from this institution places her in the ranks of those who maintain these systems rather than those working to dismantle them.
While Ardern’s political persona is built on a narrative of kindness, compassion, and progressivism, her acceptance of this honour shows where her loyalties truly lie — with the existing power structures that protect wealth, privilege, and hierarchy. From an anarchist perspective, this is a stark reminder of why we cannot look to political leaders for real change. The very nature of leadership within a state structure, particularly one still tied to the colonial Crown, is to protect the status quo.
For anarchists in Aotearoa, this is yet another reminder of the limitations of electoral politics. Ardern’s government, despite being labelled progressive, did little to challenge the systems of capitalism and colonialism. Housing remained a crisis, inequalities persisted, and the Crown’s authority remained unquestioned. Her willingness to accept an honour from the British monarchy serves as a stark contrast to her republican sentiments and highlights the dissonance between her image and her actions.
Jacinda Ardern’s acceptance of this honour from the British Crown represents a failure to stand with the decolonization movement and a reinforcement of the very systems anarchists are committed to tearing down. Her decision to take recognition from an institution that has caused immeasurable harm — both historically and in the present day — makes it clear that the fight for true justice, autonomy, and liberation lies in our hands, not in those of politicians. If we are to build a society free from hierarchical power and colonial control, it will be through grassroots action, mutual aid, and direct challenges to the structures of power that Ardern and her ilk uphold.