WELLINGTON – MPs were officially sworn in at Parliament yesterday and a Speaker of the House was also elected.
Yesterday’s ceremony marked the first meeting of the 51st Parliament, before the state opening today.
Yesterday morning’s ceremony began when the Royal Commissioners — the top judges of the country’s three highest courts — were led in by the Sheriff of the High Court for the commission opening of Parliament.
National Party MP David Carter was again elected as Speaker of the House. A personal vote was taken in Parliament after New Zealand First leader Winston Peters nominated his MP Ron Mark for the job as well.
Mr Carter won the position by 94 votes to 13, with 12 abstentions.
Today’s state opening will feature all the pomp and ceremony associated with a Westminster-style opening, with a royal salute, a flypast and an artillery salute.
