Dissolution 2026: Key Players
Last updated: 23 September 2026The dissolution of Parliament marks the formal end of a parliamentary term, leading to the general election. This ceremony involves the Herald of Arms Extraordinary reading a proclamation signed by the Governor-General. This is certified by three witnesses—the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Clerk, and the Clerk-Assistant.
You'll see these four people on the steps of Parliament as the key players in the dissolution of Parliament. Read about their roles below.
Phillip O’Shea – New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to the King
The New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. He ranks among His Majesty’s Officers of Arms and is a Member of the Royal and Governor-General’s Households. His duties include acting as the formal channel of communication and liaison, between New Zealand and the department of that Royal Household which looks after heraldic matters, the College of Arms in London. Mr O’Shea was the first appointee to the position and has held the role since 6 February 1978. In his role as Herald, he has seen ten Governors-General and twelve Prime Ministers. This is the eighth time he will attend the dissolution ceremony.
The Heralds make proclamations in public. A proclamation is read at several posts around the city of London when a new Sovereign is proclaimed. From the moment I read the dissolution proclamation, New Zealand’s Parliament is dissolved. It is read in public so anyone can come and witness it.
Dr. David Wilson – Clerk of The House of Representatives
The Clerk provides advice on parliamentary law and procedure to the Speaker and other members of Parliament. The Clerk is the chief executive of the Office of the Clerk and is responsible for supporting the House and its committees.
The Constitution Act 1986 requires the proclamation dissolving Parliament to be publicly read in the presence of the Clerk of the House, as the principal permanent officer of the House, and two other witnesses. The ending of a parliament is an important part of our democracy because it ensures that we have regular elections. I’m pleased to be part of that.
Suze Jones – Deputy Clerk of The House of Representatives
The Deputy Clerk is responsible for supporting sittings of the House. She is the deputy chief executive of the Office of the Clerk.
The dissolution of the 54th Parliament will be her fourth time as a designated witness. It’s a short but significant ceremony which everyone has a chance to come and watch. It gives the public a rare opportunity to see some pageantry and ceremony which looks back to the traditions of Westminster, but also acknowledges the tangata whenua, so it is unique to New Zealand.
James Picker – Clerk Assistant of The House of Representatives
The Clerk-Assistant is responsible for supporting select committees. He is a senior manager in the Office of the Clerk.
New Zealand has one of the oldest continuous Parliaments in the world, where people have the opportunity to influence our country’s decision makers about proposed laws that affect them. The dissolution is an important event in the Parliamentary calendar as it marks the end of the term. It’s important that New Zealanders know about the dissolution and that they’re welcome to attend as it is one of the cornerstones of our democracy.
