The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, will host two ceremonies tomorrow (Thursday 31 January 2013) at Government House in Wellington. The morning ceremony includes the appointment of new Ministers of the Crown, and the afternoon ceremony will confirm the House of Representatives’ choice of Speaker.
During the morning ceremony (11:30am), Sir Jerry Mateparae will appoint three new Executive Councillors: Hon Dr Nick Smith, Nikki Kaye, and Michael Woodhouse. A meeting of the Executive Council will then be convened at which new Councillors will take their oaths and affirmations, and the allocation of Ministerial portfolios will also take place.
In the afternoon (4pm), Sir Jerry Mateparae will host a ceremony to confirm the House of Representatives’ choice of Speaker, to replace Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith. The Speaker-elect will travel to Government House and present him/herself to the Governor-General and ask for confirmation of the House’s choice. When the Governor-General confirms the House’s choice as Speaker, from that moment on the Speaker is fully in office.
Media wanting to attend the morning and/or afternoon ceremonies must register their attendance by 10am on Thursday 31 December, providing the names of those attending.
To register your attendance, please contact Government House Public Affairs Advisor, Rebekah Clement, on 021 243 7958, or email [email protected]
Further Information for media:
Morning Ceremony:
Media representatives must be on site by 11am and must have appropriate identification. Media that are not on site by that time will not be admitted to Government House.
Afternoon Ceremony:
Media representatives must be on site by 3:20pm and must have appropriate identification. Media that are not on site by that time will not be admitted to Government House.
Media are also reminded that a reasonable standard of dress is expected at Government House.
For more information on the role of the Executive Council, visit: www.gg.govt.nz/content/executive-council
For more information on the Confirmation of the Speaker-Elect, visit: http://www.parliament.nz