Ceremonial role

The Speaker is the spokesperson for the House on ceremonial and formal occasions, for example, when an address is presented to the Crown. The ceremonial part of the role adds considerable dignity to the proceedings of the House.

Just before 2 p.m. each sitting day, the corridors between the Speaker's suite and the Chamber are cleared to make way for the Speaker’s formal procession to the Chamber. The Speaker, dressed in an official black gown, is accompanied by the Speaker's Assistant and the Serjeant-at-Arms carrying the Mace.

When the Speaker reaches the House the Serjeant-at-Arms announces the Speaker's arrival and places the Mace on the Table of the House.

The Speaker then reads the prayer and the sitting of the House begins.

Chairing meetings of the House

The main visible function of the Speaker is to chair meetings of the House and to rule on procedure.

The Speaker chooses who will be invited to speak in debates so that business is conducted in an orderly way. To do this fairly, the Speaker must balance the interests and demands of members from all political parties, before deciding who will be invited to speak next.

The Speaker must also decide on matters of procedure. For example, the Speaker must decide when an application for emergency debate is appropriate, or whether to allow an urgent question, or a complaint about breach of privilege.

Maintaining order in the House

In addition to calling who will speak next, the Speaker is often asked to decide ‘points of order’. This is when a member asks whether the rules of the House (Standing Orders) are being observed correctly.

Standing Orders are the written rules of conduct that govern the business of the House. If a member feels one of these 402 rules has been breached by another member, he or she stands and raises a point of order. The Speaker must then decide whether the complaint is just.

The Speaker has the power to suspend the sitting of the House in the case of grave disorder. If a member is wilfully disobedient the Speaker can suspend the member from the House. This is called ‘naming’.

Chairing select committees

The Speaker chairs three select committees.

• Business Committee
• Standing Orders Committee
• Officers of Parliament Committee

The first two of these committees deal with procedural matters. The third recommends the supply of funds for the offices of the Auditor-General, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, and the Ombudsman.

The Speaker also chairs the Parliamentary Service Commission, which is responsible for the administrative support that members require.

Acting as Landlord

The Speaker technically owns all of Parliament's grounds and buildings — Parliament House, the Parliamentary Library, the Beehive, and the lease on Bowen House. The Speaker is responsible for allocating office space in these buildings, and for regulating access by the media and public to the buildings.

Representing the House

All of New Zealand's relations with other parliaments are carried out through the Speaker's office. It is usual for delegations from other parliaments and ambassadors to call on the Speaker. The Speaker also assists our parliamentarians when they visit other parliaments.