Parliamentary Seminar Three

On Wednesday 21 August the NZBPT held its third seminar for the year focusing on the Machinery of Government and Parliament - Taking a Closer Look. 

Attendees from 22 of our corporate members attended an extended sitting of the House in the morning and observed the passage of a Bill, participated in a mock select committee, gained insights into policy making, executive branch of Government, legislation, and the financial cycle, and enjoyed lunch in the historic Legislative Council Chamber with Members of Parliament.

The day started with opening remarks from Trust Board Chair Brent McAnulty in the Grand Hall followed by Select Committee Managers Ben Grieg and Anna Gorham discussing the purpose and role of select committees, how they work, and how to make and speak to a submission. 

After watching proceedings in the Debating Chamber, attendees heard from Helen Lockyer from the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (DPMC) who spoke on the role government departments play in the development and the delivery of policies. Sam Moffett, Legislation Coordinator, Cabinet Office, explained how Cabinet and Cabinet Committees work and the role of the Governor-General and Executive Council . 

After lunch in the Legislative Council Chamber with Members of Parliament, James Picker from the Office of the Clerk discussed how legislation proceeds through the House and Select Committees and the financial cycle of the budget. Later, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a mock select committee and to observe live stream segments involving three select committees. 

Corporate attendees came from AbbVie, AIA New Zealand, ASB Bank, Christchurch International Airport, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Contact Energy, Deloitte, Downer NZ, Fonterra, GSK New Zealand, Guardians of NZ Superannuation, Lotto NZ, Manawa Energy, Mercury NZ, MSD Australia & New Zealand, Pamu Landcorp Farming, PowerNet, Tower NZ, TVNZ, Westpac, WSP, and Z Energy alongside Templeton Scholars Lyric Wairiri-Smith from The Spinoff and Ripu Bhatia from Stuff NZ.

We extend our sincere thanks to all attendees as well as to our seminar speakers from the Department of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Clerk.