Prime Minister Bill English promises the Government will guide New Zealand in a world "full of distraction and negativity" by proceeding with the programme he lays out in his Statement*.
Prime Minister Bill English outlines his agenda for the year and asks for the House to express confidence in the government. Photo: Supplied / The Office of the Clerk
*The Prime Minister’s Statement is the annual equivalent of what the Governor General or the Queen does at the State Opening of a new Parliament (after an election). It serves the same purpose (a mix of state of the nation and statement of intent) but with less pomp and pageantry. The statement is a formal motion asking the House to continue to support the Prime Minister's administration. The House debates and votes on whether it has confidence in the Government.
The House is produced for RNZ with funding from Parliament.
