Claire Trevett: Prize for mismatching goes to Ps

Winston Peters. Photo / APN

Courtesy of the alphabet, Parliament's swearing in ceremony can throw up some rather odd bedmates as MPs are called up in groups to deliver their oath.

Yesterday, the prize for the oddest grouping went to those in the Ps: Winston Peters, the man of great tolerance on immigration matters, and his MP Richard Prosser, who has called for the burka to be banned, were called up alongside Rajen Prasad, the Labour MP and former Race Relations Commissioner.

While their philosophies were disparate, their surnames were alphabetically aligned, and so they stood, side by side, to read out the oaths in harmony.

But onlookers expecting fireworks with Mr Peters' return to Parliament will have to wait - that oath was the only statement he uttered yesterday.

Instead he sat in the back row, silent and watching.

He might not have said anything, but things were said about him. There were giggles when the call was made for nominations for Speaker and Shane Jones turned to Mr Peters with a quizzical look.

There were giggles again when United Future leader Peter Dunne referred to "new challenges" the Speaker might face from those who were not accustomed to the Speaker's "ways".

"There will be others who will have to be guided and educated," Mr Dunne said.

There was loud laughter when Act's sole MP, John Banks - another MP returning from exile - stood to congratulate the re-elected Speaker Lockwood Smith "on behalf of the Act caucus".

Mr Banks said he was grateful for the warm welcome Dr Smith had given him upon his return to Parliament, "it was only surpassed by a security guard when I arrived here two weeks and two days ago when he said 'it's so good to see you again, Winston'."

Rather than Mr Peters, it was very much Lockwood Smith who was the centre of attention after that re-election, this time with approval from Labour.

David Shearer spoke his first words in Parliament as Labour's leader, remarking on the Speaker's ability to control Labour's shadow leader of the House, the mercurial Trevor Mallard.

"I might come and meet with you and get some advice on how I can do that better as well."

Winston Peters' views of Dr Smith remained unclear. He remained seated at the back of Parliament while his fellow MP Barbara Stewart delivered what appeared to be a promise of good behaviour by NZ First's MPs.

"We know that you honour and respect Parliament, and we will be doing the same," she said without even a glance at Mr Peters.

Those who were watching Dr Smith's greatest "new challenge" closely might just have noticed an eyebrow arch.

Dr Smith could well find out today how much Mr Peters has taken Ms Stewart's promise to heart, when Parliament officially begins with a debate.