Parliament opens: Guide to the week's ceremony

The new Parliament officially opens this week with much pomp and ceremony. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's 52nd Parliament opens this week with military bands, the chief justice making a ceremonial walk in her robes and a 19-hour debate.

Political reporter Nicholas Jones runs through the events.

Tuesday

• Commission Opening of Parliament

The ceremony begins at 11am. The Queen's representative in New Zealand, Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, sends the Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, and two other senior judges to act as commissioners and declare Parliament open on her behalf.

The commissioners will walk in their robes the short distance from the High Court to Parliament's debating chamber. All MPs then take an oath or affirmation of allegiance.

• Confirmation of the Speaker

The new Speaker will be elected by MPs, and then officially confirmed by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy at a ceremony at Government House across town. Labour veteran Trevor Mallard will take the role over from National's David Carter.

The Speaker takes third place in the New Zealand order of precedence - behind only the Prime Minister and Governor-General.

• Select Committee numbers

Normally Parliament's business committee - a small group of MPs from all parties - would meet to agree on how many places for MPs there will be on select committees. This year an argument has broken out between Labour and National, meaning agreement is unlikely and Labour will need to put forward a motion in the House at a later time.

Wednesday

• State Opening of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne

Head to Parliament's front lawn from about 10.30am to see all the pomp and ceremony of Parliament's opening, with a military band to play and march. A big screen will be set up on Parliament's grounds, with events also broadcast on Parliament TV.

The Governor-General returns to Parliament to deliver what is known as the Speech from The Throne. It is actually written by the Prime Minister and sets out the new Government's priorities for the coming three-year term.

There is more ceremony surrounding this tradition - MPs are led to the legislative council chamber in a procession by the Serjeant-at-Arms. They then return to the debating chamber, and Bill English and others will reply to the address in a special address-in-reply debate.

This is a marathon 19-hour debate that can take several weeks, and in which new MPs give their maiden speeches - often outlining their back-stories and reasons for entering politics.

Thursday

The first Question Time of the new Parliament will see National put questions to new ministers. The Opposition will be itching to make life as tough as possible for the Labour-led Government.