The Speaker of the House, Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, centre, dons his Speaker’s robe with the help of Speaker’s Assistant, Roland Todd, left, with the Serjeant –at-Arms, Brent Smith. The Speaker’s office will be opened to the public for the Parliament Open Day on Sunday 7 November.

Media release:

For release: Friday, October 22

Parliament Open Day will be interactive experience

The National Crisis Management Centre deep in the basement of the Beehive will be opened to the public for Parliament’s Open Day on Sunday 7 November.

The emergency response to the Canterbury earthquake was managed from the Beehive centre.

Access to other areas previously closed to the public include behind the scenes of the Parliamentary library and the Office of the Speaker whose desk was the Cabinet table for the government of Richard “King Dick” Seddon, Premier of New Zealand for 13 years from 1893.

Parliamentary Service Project Manager for the Open Day, Chris,Tracey, is promising a fun day for families at this year’s Parliament Open Day.

“Visitors will be able to experience what happens in the House and the atmosphere of the parliamentary precinct.

“We will have more displays and activities than ever before along the theme of Then and Now – it will be a family fun day,” she said.

“Our aim is to encourage people to participate in the democratic process and learn more about Parliament,” she said.

Visitors will take part in self-guided tours across the parliamentary precinct where more than 100 parliamentary staff will be on hand to provide information and guidance on what is happening. Special interest tours will include exhibitions of art work, a perspective on Maori participation, and a chance to learn more about the grounds and gardens of the precinct.

There will also be an opportunity to sit in the Prime Minister’s car –CR1 – on the parliamentary forecourt. Bowen House will also be open with access to state-of-the-art select committee rooms and an exhibition by Whanganui artists. The link way that goes under Bowen Street will also be open. For children there will be interactive activities, competitions, a quiz, the chance to dress up and sit on a replica Speaker’s chair, and use Parliament’s interactive website.

Food will be available through Parliament’s café.

Visitors will be admitted from 10am with last entry at 3.30pm.

Entry will be via the main entrance to the Beehive and Parliament Building and the ground floor of Bowen House (on Lambton Quay).

Other neighbouring buildings in the Thorndon precinct will also be open to the public and include the Supreme Court, the Reserve Bank Museum, Old Government Building, Old Saint Paul’s and Katherine Mansfield house. The Supreme Court complex which includes the new Supreme Court and old High Court, will be open for tours from 10am – 4pm, providing an opportunity to view award-winning architecture and learn more about New Zealand’s judicial history.

ENDS

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