Kingdom of Roskill
Kingdom of Roskill Kīngitanga o Puketāpapa (Māori) | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Anthem: "Jerusalem" | |
 Location of Roskill within New Zealand | |
| Status | Disbanded |
| Capital and largest city | Hillsborough |
| Official languages | |
| Ethnic groups (2022) |
|
| Religion (2022) |
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| Demonym(s) | Roskillians |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Hugh Michael I |
• Prime Minister | Vacant |
| Legislature | National Parliament |
| Independence from New Zealand | |
• Formation of Provisional Regal Council | 17 October 2022 |
• Declaration of Independence | 22 October 2022 |
• Ratification of Constitution | 10 December 2022 |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.183 km2 (0.843 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 35 |
| Currency | Roskill dollar ($) (RKD) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Internet TLD | .rk |
Website Discord Communications | |
The Kingdom of Roskill (Māori: Kīngitanga o Puketāpapa), commonly known as Roskill (Puketāpapa), is a self-proclaimed kingdom and sovereign state, though it is commonly referred to as a micronation by external sources. All of its territory is located within the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill. The nation is completely surrounded by New Zealand. Hillsborough is the capital city of the nation, as well as the largest city by population and area.
The Kingdom of Roskill declared independence from New Zealand on 22 October 2022, led by Liam Lithgow, whom later became the first King of Roskill. Roskill is a unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the Monarch, King Hugh Michael I of Roskill. The head of government is the Premier, which is currently vacant. The national legislature is the National Assembly, a unicameral chamber based upon the Westminster system.
The nation has two official languages - English and Māori - the latter being official only in New Zealand. Although having two official languages, the most common language spoken and written is English. As a multicultural nation, a small fraction of Roskillians speak non-official languages, such as Mandarin and Arabic.
Although a young nation, Roskill is a member of the Micronational Assembly and the League of Independent Nations. It has expressed interest in joining the Grand Unified Micronational and the Micronational Community of Australia.
Etymology
The Kingdom of Roskill is named after the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill, the location where the nation sits. One of the city's larger suburbs, it was largely farmland until after the Second World War. It was a separate borough from 1947 until local government reorganisation in 1989 amalgamated it with Auckland City, and then later the larger 'Super-City', created following a Royal Commission on local government reform.
The Kingdom of Roskill's Māori name is Puketāpapa, which means 'flat-topped hill'. The alternative Māori name is Pukewīwī, which means 'hill covered in rushes'.
History
Provisional Regal Council
On 17 October 2022, Liam Lithgow formed the Provisional Regal Council of the Kingdom of Roskill, an advisory body that set up the core structure of the nation. This included the system of government, the judiciary and the Royal Roskill Guard. The Provisional Regal Council was dissolved on 22 October 2022, following the Proclamation of Independence.
Proclamation of Independence
On 22 October 2022, the Provisional Regal Council of the Kingdom of Roskill declared Liam Lithgow as Hugh Michael I, King of Roskill. Roskill then declared full independence from New Zealand.
Ratification of Constitution
On 6 December 2022, in a special sitting of the legislature, the National Assembly approved of the final draft of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Roskill. On 8 December 2022, the Regal Council was convened and approved of the Constitution, and on 10 December 2022, the King of Roskill applied the Great Seal of the Kingdom and ratified the document.
Politics and government
The Kingdom of Roskill is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The Monarch is the head of state, signing pieces of legislation into law and appointing public officials on the advice of the government. The Premier is the head of government, heading the government of the nation and chairing the Cabinet. The National Assembly is the national legislature, the body that reviews and votes upon pieces of legislation. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the National Assembly. The legislature currently sits at five seats in total.
Law and order
The judiciary of Roskill is made up of two courts; the High Court of Roskill and the General Court of Roskill. The High Court of Roskill is the chief court of the nation, responsible for large cases and constitutional matters. This is made up of the Chief Justice and two Justices, who serve for six months at a time. The General Court of Roskill is the court of first instance, and may refer cases to the High Court. Roskill has no police force, as law enforcement is conducted by the Royal Roskill Guard.
Foreign relations
Although a young nation, Roskill is a member of the Micronational Assembly and the League of Independent Nations. It has expressed interest in joining the Grand Unified Micronational and the Micronational Community of Australia. It has also expressed interest in making a treaty between New Zealand and Australian micronations.
Military
The Royal Roskill Guard is the defence and law enforcement force in the Kingdom of Roskill. As a civil force, it ensures that civil obedience is observed and laws followed. As a military force, it ensures the protection of the people of Roskill. It also acts as a ceremonial guard for marches and drills. The current active Commander of the Royal Roskill Guard is Colonel Shakeel Shamaail.
Geography and climate
Geography
The Kingdom of Roskill is located within the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill, New Zealand. Roskill claims the land from the suburb of Mt Roskill, Waikōwhai, Hillsborough, Lynfield, Balmoral, Three Kings and New Windsor.
Climate
Roskill's climate is exactly the same as Auckland. It is classified as an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb)
The government of Roskill takes its climate data from New Zealand official sources for the region of Auckland.
| Climate data for Roskill (Auckland Airport), 1981-2010 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 23.1 (73.6) |
23.7 (74.7) |
22.4 (72.3) |
20.1 (68.2) |
17.7 (63.9) |
15.5 (59.9) |
14.7 (58.5) |
15.1 (59.2) |
16.5 (61.7) |
17.8 (64) |
19.5 (67.1) |
21.6 (70.9) |
19.0 (66.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.1 (66.4) |
19.7 (67.5) |
18.4 (65.1) |
16.1 (61) |
14.0 (57.2) |
11.8 (53.2) |
10.9 (51.6) |
11.3 (52.3) |
12.7 (54.9) |
14.2 (57.6) |
15.7 (60.3) |
17.8 (64) |
15.2 (59.4) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 15.2 (59.4) |
15.8 (60.4) |
14.4 (57.9) |
12.1 (53.8) |
10.3 (50.5) |
8.1 (46.6) |
7.1 (44.8) |
7.5 (45.5) |
8.9 (48) |
10.4 (50.7) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.0 (57.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
| Average Precipitation mm (inches) | 73.3 (2.886) |
66.1 (2.602) |
87.3 (3.437) |
99.4 (3.913) |
112.6 (4.433) |
126.4 (4.976) |
145.1 (5.713) |
118.4 (4.661) |
105.1 (4.138) |
100.2 (3.945) |
85.8 (3.378) |
92.8 (3.654) |
1,210.7 |
| [citation needed] | |||||||||||||
Economy
The Kingdom of Roskill does not have a sustainable economy. The nation's economy is based upon souvenirs and donations. The Royal Treasury is made up of a bank account managed by the Monarch and the government.
The official currency is the Roskill dollar (RKD), but also accepts the New Zealand dollar (NZD). The Roskill dollar is worth two New Zealand dollars.
Culture and media
Language
The nation has two official languages - English and Māori - the latter being official only in New Zealand. Although having two official languages, the most common language spoken and written is English. As a multicultural nation, a small fraction of Roskillians speak non-official languages, such as Mandarin and Arabic.
Cuisine
National cuisine is loosely based upon New Zealand's cuisine. This includes food such as a roast dinner, barbecue and the 'kiwi burger'.
Holidays
The national holiday of the Kingdom of Roskill is 'Roskill Day', which is 22 October, the nation's Independence Day. 1 May is Labour Day, keeping in line with International Workers' Day.
All the holidays recognised by Christian Churches are recognized by the Kingdom of Roskill, such as Easter Sunday and Christmas.
Media
As a relatively new nation, Roskill does not have much of a media presence. However, the state media corporation is the Roskill Broadcasting Service.