SpeechTUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2017COMMISSION OPENING OF PARLIAMENTThe Fifty-second Parliament opened at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 7 November 2017 in the City of Wellington pursuant to a Proclamation dated 26 October 2017 issued by Her Excellency the Governor-General.David Williams Acting Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod announced the arrival of Her Majesty's Commissioners. The Bar was raised and the Commissioners took their places at the head of the Table.The Right Honourable Dame Sian Elias Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit Chief Justice of New Zealand the Chief Commissioner said—Members of the House of Representatives:Her Excellency the Governor-General not thinking fit to be present here this day in person has been pleased in relation to the opening of the Fifty-second Parliament of New Zealand to cause Letters Patent to be passed under the Seal of New Zealand constituting usThe Right Honourable Dame Sian Elias Dame Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit Chief Justice of New ZealandThe Honourable Sir Mark Andrew O'Regan Supreme Court Judge and The Honourable Dame Ellen Dolour France Supreme Court Judgeto be Her Majesty's Commissioners to do all things in Her Majesty's name necessary to be performed at the opening of this Parliament. This will more fully appear by the Letters Patent themselves which must now be read.The Letters Patent were then read by the Clerk of the House of Representatives as follows:PATSY REDDYElizabeth The Second by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith:To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting!Whereas by a Proclamation made on the 26th day of October 2017 Our Governor-General of New Zealand The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM QSO proclaimed that the Parliament of New Zealand should meet in the parliamentary precincts in the City of Wellington at 11.00 am on the 7th day of November 2017:And Whereas Our said Governor-General does not think fit to be present at the opening of the said session:Now know that We trusting in the discretion fidelity and care of Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved CounsellorDame Sian Elias Dame Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Meritand Our Trusty and Well-beloved The Honourable Sir Mark Andrew O'Regan Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit and The Honourable Ellen Dolour France Dame Companion of The New Zealand Order of Meritdo by these presents give and grant unto them or any two of them full power in Our name to open the said Parliament in Our behalf and to do all things necessary to be done in Our name or in the name of Our Governor-General of New Zealand in and about the opening of the said Parliament commanding also all whom it concerns to meet in the said Parliament and that the saidThe Right Honourable Dame Sian EliasThe Honourable Sir Mark Andrew O'Regan andThe Honourable Ellen Dolour Franceor any two of them diligently attend in the premises at the opening of the said Parliament.In Testimony Whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and issued under the Seal of New Zealand at Wellington on the 26th day of October in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Seventeen and in the 66th Year of Our Reign.Witness Our Trusty and Well-beloved The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy Chancellor and Dame Grand Companion of Our New Zealand Order of Merit Principal Companion of Our Service Order Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Realm of New Zealand.By Her Excellency's commandJacinda Ardern.The Proclamation summoning Parliament was then read by the Chief Commissioner as follows:PATSY REDDY Governor-GeneralA PROCLAMATIONWhereas by Proclamation published on 22 August 2017 the Parliament of New Zealand was summoned to meet on 23 November 2017:And whereas I have thought fit to summon it to meet on an earlier day:Now therefore pursuant to section 18 of the Constitution Act 1986 I The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy Governor-General of New Zealand summon the Parliament of New Zealand to meet in the parliamentary precincts in the City of Wellington at 11.00 am on 7 November 2017. Given under the hand of Her Excellency the Governor-General and issued under the Seal of New Zealand on 26 October 2017.Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister.GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!The Chief Commissioner then said:Members of the House of Representatives:We have it in command from Her Excellency the Governor-General to inform you that on 8 November 2017 at 10.30 am Her Excellency the Governor-General will declare to you in person the cause of her summoning this Parliament to meet.But since it is necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives be first chosen Her Excellency requests that you members of Parliament now proceed to choose one of your members to fill that high and important office and that having chosen that person you present that person at 1.45 pm today 7 November 2017 at Government House at Wellington for Her Excellency's confirmation.The Commissioners then withdrew.