The 2023 informal survey with 137 responses - about 55% of SCANZ's subscribing membership count - showed more than 80% support from respondents for the idea of forming an NZ Principality.
On a scale of 0 (strongly opposed) to 5 (strongly in favour), the average response was 3.4, which corresponds to an "enthusiasm score" of 68%.
In earlier 2020 informal survey, just shy of 60% of SCANZ's members responded, plus an additional 14 non-members. Of these:
- 57% thought that a NZ Principality was a good idea
- 20% thought it wasn’t
- 23% were not sure
Of the 92 people who provided additional comments (Q3), the most positive mentions concerned:
- greater focus and growth, and better administration (14 mentions)
- greater accessibility to Crown in both competing for and interacting with (10)
- the chance to propose an alternative selection process (5)
The most negative comments concerned:
- a lack of active members or small numbers (9)
- the potential for political infighting and friction, including concerns about the likely dominance of Southron Gaard (9)
- an inability to fill the required Principality Offices (6)
The opportunity for more pageantry was mentioned as a positive by four respondents, and was actively disliked by two.
We need to ensure involvement of people at all levels, significant discussion and feedback. Given the fracturing of communication channels in recent years, building and testing a consensus is likely to need dedicated attention and management.
Any formal poll (which comes very late in the process after much discussion and consultation) must be found acceptable by the Kingdom Seneschal. For earlier consultation and planning, informal online surveys can continue.
(See Where to from Here? and the NZ Principality Roadmap ; also Survey Analysis of the initial 2020 and subsequent 2023 informal surveys).
It's important to encourage participation to be as widespread as possible across all NZ groups and all levels of membership for greatest representation (ie to check this, the formal poll should ask for SCA group, title/rank or year of joining). The 2023 survey asked such questions and showed a good geographical and experience spread.
As the formal poll concerns a significant change in status, it would need to have a high level of participation and reflect current opinion as at the time of polling (ie so it would have simply “yes”, “no” or “no opinion” options, but not allow for “not yet/maybe later”).