New Zealand's 52nd Parliament has opened, MPs have been sworn in and Labour MP Trevor Mallard has been elected unopposed as Speaker.
The opening ceremony began this morning with the arrival of Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy's commissioners - Chief Justice Sian Elias and two senior judges - who delivered the proclamation.
The ceremony is called the Commission Opening, and gets the House in session before the State Opening tomorrow.
The Clerk of Parliament, David Wilson, called the 120 MPs to take their oaths or affirmations of allegiance.
When they had all been sworn in the government nominated Mr Mallard for Speaker, and he was unopposed.
Mr Mallard will shortly go to Government House to be confirmed in office by Dame Patsy.
The State Opening on Wednesday is a full ceremonial event in the Legislative Council Chamber where Dame Patsy will read the Speech from the Throne, setting out the government's agenda.
MPs then return to the debating chamber to begin the Debate in Reply debate.
SHARE ME