New Zealand Parliament reconvenes after election
Monday, December 8, 2008
The New Zealand Parliament met today for the first time following the recent general election.
Three senior judges, led by Chief Justice Sian Elias, formally opened the session.
The members were formally sworn in, and the National Party took control of the government benches. National MP Lockwood Smith was unanimously elected Speaker.
Parliament will reconvene tomorrow for the formal state opening by the Governor-General, and the speech from the Throne, in which the government will lay out its legislative programme.
The November 8 election saw National win a victory over the Labour Party and form a minority government with the support of ACT and the Māori Party.
Sources
- "Parliament's new MPs sworn in" — The New Zealand Herald, December 8, 2008
- Tracy Watkins. "Smith made Speaker as MPs sworn in" — The Dominion Post, December 8, 2008
- Press Release: "49th Parliament opened today" — Parliament of New Zealand, December 8, 2008
- Press Release: "Opening of parliament ceremonies on 8 and 9 December 2008" — Parliament of New Zealand, December 5, 2008
- Press Release: "House of Representatives to meet on 8 December" — Parliament of New Zealand, November 20, 2008