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Lord Of The Black Rod

Decent Essays

Some people have specific duties in Parliament — the Governor-General, the Speaker, the Prime Minister, Ministers and other members with special roles, the Clerk of the House, the Serjeant-at-Arms, and the historical office of Usher of the Black Rod. Their titles and functions are set out here.

Sovereign / Governor-General
Speaker of the House
Deputy and Assistant Speakers
Prime Minister
Ministers
Leader of the House
Leader of the Opposition
Whips
Clerk of the House
Serjeant-at-Arms
Usher of the Black Rod
Sovereign / Governor-General
The Sovereign, represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General, is an essential part of Parliament and has a formal role. This includes assenting to bills passed in the House of Representatives so that they become Acts of Parliament.

After a general election the Governor-General opens Parliament by delivering the speech from the Throne. The speech from the Throne sets out the Government’s intentions for the coming term of Parliament. The Governor-General also brings a parliamentary term to an end. This is known as ’dissolution’.

The Governor-General has no part in the daily activities of the House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House
The Speaker presides over the House of Representatives. It is the Speaker’s role to apply the rules of the House (Standing Orders), and oversee procedures and the day-to-day operation of the House.

The Speaker:

represents the House to the Sovereign and the Governor-General chairs the meetings of the

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