Opening of parliament

Senior judges are present at the Commission Opening of Parliament, Confirmation of Speaker and the State Opening of Parliament.

Commission Opening of Parliament

Following a general election, the Governor-General by Proclamation summons the Members of Parliament (MPs) to meet in the Debating Chamber at Parliament (pursuant to section 18 of the Constitution Act 1986). However, the Governor-General does not attend this first meeting which is called the Commission Opening of Parliament. The Governor-General appoints Commissioners, usually the Chief Justice as the Chief Commissioner and 2 senior judges to declare Parliament open on her behalf. In December 2023 the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Cooper and Chief High Court Judge Justice Thomas, were appointed by the Governor-General to act as Commissioners. The Commissioners are escorted to and from Parliament by the Sheriff of the High Court. That position is held by the Registrar of the High Court in Wellington. 

In the Debating Chamber where the Members of Parliament are gathered the Commissioners declare Parliament open on behalf of the Governor-General. The Commissioners leave, and the Members of Parliament then elect a Speaker of the House.

Confirmation of Speaker

The Confirmation of Speaker by the Governor-General is attended by all members of Parliament and the 3 Commissioners in a separate ceremony held at Government House. The Commissioners do not have any formal role in this ceremony but support the Governor-General by their presence.

State Opening of Parliament

The final ceremony is the State Opening of Parliament. The Governor-General on behalf of the King who is New Zealand’s Head of State officially opens Parliament. The Chief Justice and senior court judges attend the ceremony. They are escorted to and from Parliament by the Sheriff of the High Court. The judges do not have a formal role during the State Opening of Parliament. 

05 December 2023 : Commission Opening of Parliament:

At the Commission Opening of Parliament the Chief Justice called upon MPs to elect a Speaker. In her role as the Chief Commissioner she spoke in English and Te Reo Māori.