Last evening (Tuesday 28 July), the Members of the Diplomatic Corps were hosted by the Speaker (Hon Trevor Mallard) in a Reception to celebrate Inter-Parliamentary Activities in the 52nd New Zealand Parliament. The Speaker and the Clerk of the House highlighted the major inter-parliamentary activities between New Zealand and other countries and regions over the past three years. Mr Speaker then thanked the Members of the Diplomatic Corps for the cooperation and assistance of the 50 countries that they represent in New Zealand, in promoting close relations between their Parliaments and New Zealand.

In response, and on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps, the Samoa High Commissioner (as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps) acknowledged the assistance received from the New Zealand Parliament in arranging and hosting the many official visits as well as bilateral and study tours to NZ of the Speakers and Members of Parliament from their respective countries. The Dean also thanked the Speaker for the visits by NZ Parliamentary Delegations to their countries which have continued to help, not only in the sharing of parliamentary experiences but also in enhancing friendly relations between respective countries’ Members of Parliament and Staff. For the Pacific Region, with relatively young Parliamentary systems, the Samoa High Commissioner noted the benefits received by the Island Countries from New Zealand’s experience especially in terms of adopting appropriate parliamentary systems and procedures.