82-691: New Zealand Parliament Buildings ( Māori : Ngā whare Paremata ) house the New Zealand Parliament and are on a 45,000 square metre site at the northern end of Lambton Quay , Wellington . From north to south, they are the Parliamentary Library building (1899); the Edwardian neoclassical -style Parliament House (1922); the executive wing, called " The Beehive " (1977); and Bowen House (in use since 1991). Currently, an additional building for housing Members of Parliament
164-591: A bill passed by the House, known as the granting of the Royal Assent , which is necessary for a bill to be enacted as law. The governor-general formally summons and dissolves Parliament—the latter in order to call a general election . In New Zealand the term parliament is used in a few different senses. Firstly, the term refers to the entire legislative branch consisting of the King (whose constitutional role in
246-616: A constitutional crisis . As a practical reality, because the Royal Assent to a bill must follow quickly after its passage by the House of Representatives, if there is any substantial issue about the constitutional validity of a bill, the issue must be considered by the attorney-general before the bill is introduced into the House. Parliament is currently in its 54th term. Basil Spence Sir Basil Urwin Spence , OM OBE RA (13 August 1907 – 19 November 1976)
328-725: A one-vote-per-person system. Originally the New Zealand Parliament remained subordinate to the British Parliament, the supreme legislative authority for the entire British Empire—although, in practice, Britain's role was minimal from the 1890s. The New Zealand Parliament received progressively more control over New Zealand affairs through the passage of Imperial (British) laws such as the Colonial Laws Validity Act 1865 , constitutional amendments, and an increasingly hands-off approach by
410-402: A Standing Orders meeting where the majority voted in favour of Te Pāti Māori 's submission calling for the elimination of neckties as part of Parliament's compulsory business attire. This announcement followed an argument between Mallard and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi , who had been ejected from Parliament for refusing to wear a neck tie in favour of Māori business attire. In 2024,
492-457: A coherent architectural setting. Instead, as Heritage New Zealand remarks, the setting that has been achieved "has little aesthetic or architectural coherence", especially through the construction of the Beehive instead of completion of Parliament House. In February 2022, many anti-COVID-19 vaccine mandate protestors converged outside Parliament House. They set up tents on the lawn, occupying
574-403: A greater number of nominal votes than they actually contained voters – as an example, in 1927, Waipawa , a district without any urban population at all, received an additional 4,153 nominal votes to its actual 14,838 – having the maximum factor of 28% extra representation. The country quota was in effect until it was abolished in 1945 by a mostly urban-elected Labour government , which switched to
656-453: A new Gothic Revival library to replace the existing one. Despite cost concerns, Prime Minister William Massey let construction of the first stage begin in 1914, but without much of the roof ornamentation or the roof domes. The outbreak of World War I created labour and material shortages that made construction difficult. However, members of Parliament (MPs) were so desperate to get out of the run-down old Government House that they moved into
738-667: A new one. The Legislative Council chamber continues to be used during the Opening of Parliament. This is in keeping with the British tradition in which the monarch is barred from entering the lower house. The original Legislative Council was created by the Charter for Erecting the Colony of New Zealand on 16 November 1840, which saw New Zealand established as a Crown colony separate from New South Wales on 1 July 1841. Originally,
820-525: A simple majority, thus allowing the entrenched provisions of the Electoral Act to also be repealed by a simple majority. The monarch of New Zealand – currently King Charles III, represented in New Zealand by the governor-general , currently Dame Cindy Kiro – is one of the components of Parliament. This results from the role of the monarch to sign into law (i.e. give the Royal Assent to)
902-693: A year as an assistant, along with William Kininmonth , in the London office of Sir Edwin Lutyens , whose work was to have a profound influence on Spence's style, where he worked on designs for the Viceroy's House in New Delhi , India. While in London he attended evening classes at the Bartlett School of Architecture under A. E. Richardson . Returning to ECA in 1930 for his final year of studies, he
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#1732780204753984-508: A year into World War II . In 1944, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott submitted a design proposal to rebuild the cathedral but this was rejected by the Royal Fine Arts Commission . In 1950, a competition was launched to find the most suitable design from a Commonwealth of Nations architect. Over 200 entries were received, and Spence's radical design was chosen. Work began in 1956 and the structure was completed in 1962. Spence
1066-522: Is not justiciable —it cannot be challenged by the judiciary . The ability of Parliament to act is, legally, unimpeded. For example, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 is a normal piece of legislation, not superior law, as codified constitutions are in some other countries. The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to regulate its own procedures. The House has " entrenched " certain issues relating to elections. These include
1148-666: Is rejected and goes no further through the process. If a bill passes its third reading, it is delivered to the governor-general by the clerk of the House of Representatives , who, assuming that constitutional convention is followed, will grant Royal Assent as a matter of course. Some constitutional lawyers, such as Professor Philip Joseph, believe the governor-general does retain the power to refuse Royal Assent to bills in exceptional circumstances—specifically if democracy were to be abolished. Others, such as former law professor and Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and Professor Matthew Palmer argue any refusal of Royal Assent would cause
1230-424: Is under construction, which is expected to be completed in 2026. Whilst most of the individual buildings are outstanding for different reasons, the overall setting that has been achieved "has little aesthetic or architectural coherence". The main building of the complex is Parliament House, containing the debating chamber , speaker's office, visitors' centre, and committee rooms. The first Parliament (then called
1312-920: The British Army . He was initially based at Farnham in Surrey. His work included, prior to D-Day, the design of a counterfeit oil terminus at Dover as part of the Operation Fortitude deception plan for the Normandy landings. Spence subsequently took part in the D-Day landings in 1944. He was demobilised in September 1945, having reached the rank of major and been mentioned in despatches twice. Spence returned to Rowand Anderson & Paul & Partners briefly, before setting up his own practice, Basil Spence & Partners, with Bruce Robertson. He
1394-827: The New Zealand House of Representatives . The King is usually represented by his governor-general . Before 1951, there was an upper chamber , the New Zealand Legislative Council . The New Zealand Parliament was established in 1854 and is one of the oldest continuously functioning legislatures in the world. It has met in Wellington , the capital of New Zealand , since 1865 and in its current building since 1922. The House of Representatives normally consists of 120 members of Parliament (MPs), though sometimes more due to overhang seats . There are 72 MPs elected directly in electorates while
1476-464: The bills that have been passed by the House of Representatives. MPs must express their loyalty to the King and defer to his authority, as the Oath of Allegiance must be recited by all new parliamentarians before they may take their seat, and the official opposition is traditionally dubbed His Majesty's Loyal Opposition . The House of Representatives was established as a lower house and has been
1558-421: The executive . The New Zealand Government comprises a prime minister (head of government) and other ministers ; in accordance with the principle of responsible government , they are always selected from and accountable to the House of Representatives. Neither the monarch (currently King Charles III ) nor his governor-general participates in the legislative process, save for signifying the King's approval to
1640-542: The " Model Parliament " of 1295. Over the centuries, parliaments progressively limited the power of the monarchy ( constitutional monarchy ). The Bill of Rights 1688 (which has been ratified as law in New Zealand) established a system where parliaments would be regularly elected. Among its provisions, it set out parliament's role in taxation and supply . The Bill of Rights also confirmed the absolute privilege for freedom of speech in parliament. As early as 1846
1722-423: The "General Assembly") was housed in the wooden two storey Provincial Council Building (1870s addition by William Clayton ). It was replaced by the 1880s three-storey Gothic Revival building by Thomas Turnbull ) and containing many indigenous timbers but was destroyed by fire in 1907 along with all other parliament buildings except the library. The library had an iron fire-door that saved its collections. Following
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#17327802047531804-558: The 1890s, when the New Zealand Liberal Party was established as the first formal political party in New Zealand , political power shifted from the House of Representatives to elections, parties and leaders. The conservative Reform Party was formed in 1909, and the New Zealand Labour Party in 1916. The New Zealand National Party emerged in 1936 from the amalgamation of Reform and a remnant of
1886-621: The 2023 Standing Orders introduced two new "scrutiny weeks" to the Parliamentary calendar, which allows select committees to scrutinise government and public sector spending plans. The first scrutiny week for the 2024 year was held between 17 and 21 June while the second is scheduled to be held on 2 and 6 December 2024. Based on the Westminster system , the New Zealand Parliament is supreme, with no other government institution able to override its decisions. As such, legislative action
1968-583: The Beehive, Bowen House houses MPs' offices and support staff and has been leased by Parliamentary Services since 1991. It is connected to the rest of the parliamentary complex by a tunnel under Bowen Street which contains a travelator . Not part of the current parliamentary complex and on the other side of Lambton Quay , this four-storey building was designed by William Clayton and built in 1876. The former Government Buildings currently house Victoria University of Wellington 's Law School as part of Victoria's Pipitea campus. Several rooms featuring displays of
2050-704: The Bombay Scottish Education Society, and was then sent back to Scotland to attend George Watson's College in Edinburgh from 1919 to 1925. He enrolled at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) in 1925, studying architecture, where he secured a maintenance scholarship on the strength of the "unusual brilliance" of his work. He won several prizes at the college, and meanwhile carried out paid work drawing architectural perspectives for practising architects including Leslie Grahame-Thomson, Reginald Fairlie and Frank Mears . In 1929–1930, he spent
2132-561: The British government. In 1947, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act , giving that parliament full power over New Zealand law, and the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act 1947 , an act of the British Parliament, allowed the New Zealand Parliament to regulate its own composition. In 1973 a further amendment, the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act 1973 , expanded
2214-623: The British settlers in New Zealand petitioned for self-government . The New Zealand Parliament was created by the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 , an act of the British Parliament , which established a bicameral legislature officially named the General Assembly, later commonly referred to as Parliament. It had a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called
2296-533: The General Assembly. The Council was intended to scrutinise and amend bills passed by the House of Representatives, although it could not initiate legislation or amend money bills. Despite occasional proposals for an elected Council, members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) were appointed by the governor, generally on the recommendation of the prime minister. It was eventually decided that the Council
2378-583: The Government's legislative agenda. On occasion, the monarch may open Parliament and personally deliver the speech; for example, Queen Elizabeth II personally attended the Opening of Parliament in 1954 (to mark the legislature's centenary), and more recently in 1986 and 1990. MPs receive the Royal Summons to these events from the usher of the Black Rod , after the usher knocks on the doors of
2460-509: The House of Representatives chamber that have been slammed shut, to illustrate the MPs' right to deny entry to anyone, including the monarch. Before any law is passed, it is first introduced in Parliament as a draft known as a bill . The majority of bills are promulgated by the government of the day. It is rare for government bills to be defeated (the first to be defeated in the 20th century
2542-478: The Legislative Council consisted of the governor, colonial secretary and colonial treasurer (who comprised the Executive Council), and three justices of the peace appointed by the governor. The Legislative Council had the power to issue ordinances (statutory instruments). With the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 , the Legislative Council was reconstituted as the upper house of
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2624-486: The Legislative Council. The members of the House were elected under the first-past-the-post (FPP) voting system, while those of the Council were appointed by the governor. The first members were sworn in on 24 May 1854 in Auckland. Initially, legislative councillors were appointed for life, but from the 1890s they were appointed for renewable seven-year terms. This change, coupled with responsible government (whereby
2706-529: The Liberals, the United Party . As of the 2023 general election , the current parties represented in the House of Representatives are National, Labour, Green , ACT , Te Pāti Māori , and New Zealand First . Labour Member of Parliament Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan was the longest-serving female MP (1967–1996) and was also the first MP to give birth while serving in office. National MP Ruth Richardson
2788-606: The Ministry of Works, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The first parliamentary offices moved into the building in 1979. Due to its distinctive shape, it is referred to colloquially as " The Beehive ". The building is ten storeys and 72 metres (236 ft) high. The top floor is occupied by the Cabinet room, with the prime minister's office on the floor immediately below. The offices of individual ministers, various function rooms, and Bellamy's restaurant occupy
2870-428: The New Zealand Parliament ). Each bill goes through several stages before it becomes a law. The first stage is the first reading , where MPs debate the bill in principle. It is normally sent to a select committee where the public has the opportunity to make submissions on the bill and the committee can recommend amendments to the bill. The select committee stage is followed by the second reading, where MPs again debate
2952-417: The Parliament's sole house since 1951. Since the introduction of MMP in 1996 , the House consists of 120 members of Parliament (MPs), elected to a three-year term. Parliamentary elections use the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system, a hybrid of first-past-the-post and closed party-list proportional representation ; 71 MPs represent single-member electorates of roughly the same population, while
3034-694: The Select Committee on Electoral Reform. In 2010, the New Zealand Policy Unit of the Centre for Independent Studies proposed a Senate in the context of the 2011 referendum on MMP . They proposed a proportionally-elected upper house made up 31 seats elected using a proportional list vote by region, with the House of Representatives elected by FPP and consisting of 79 seats. A term of Parliament in New Zealand may not last more than three years. The Constitution Act 1986 outlines that
3116-528: The Southside Garage, on Causewayside, Edinburgh, in an Art Deco style (although credited to Spence his name appears nowhere on the official warrant drawings and only appears as a signature on the artist's perspective). In 1934 Spence married, and the Kininmonth & Spence practice merged with Rowand Anderson & Paul. Balfour Paul died in 1938, leaving Kininmonth and Spence in charge of
3198-695: The bequest of Spence's drawings and office papers, the Sir Basil Spence Archive project was begun by the RCAHMS (now part of HES). A centennial exhibition Basil Spence Back to the Future was organised in Edinburgh, Coventry and London in 2007-8. In 2006, he was the subject of a BBC Scotland documentary, Rebuilding Basil Spence , which revised his place in 20th-century British architecture and asked why he had been for so long overlooked. In 2012,
3280-402: The bill in principle and the select committee recommendations. This is followed by the committee of the whole house, where MPs debate individual clauses or parts and make amendments. In the third reading, MPs debate the final form of the bill. If a majority of MPs vote in favour of the bill at its third reading, the bill is passed. If a majority of MPs vote against the bill at any reading, the bill
3362-518: The book Basil Spence Buildings and Projects was published by the RIBA as the culmination of the RCAHMS archive project and the work of the AHRC research project led by Louise Campbell of Warwick University . In 1993 Spence's Hutchesontown C complex was listed by the international conservation organisation DoCoMoMo as one of Scotland's sixty key monuments of the post-war years, in the same year as it
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3444-473: The building in which the chamber is housed (normally Parliament House, Wellington ), and more generally still this building and the several other buildings in which MPs have their offices. The New Zealand Parliament is specifically modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary representation , developed in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . This system can be traced back to
3526-483: The building's history have been set up for public viewing. 41°16′41″S 174°46′37″E / 41.278°S 174.777°E / -41.278; 174.777 New Zealand Parliament Official Opposition (34) Crossbench (21) The New Zealand Parliament ( Māori : Pāremata Aotearoa ) is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand , consisting of the Sovereign ( King-in-Parliament ) and
3608-745: The committee. After the 1990 election, the National government of Jim Bolger proposed the establishment of an elected Senate, thereby reinstating a bicameral system, and a Senate Bill was drafted. Under the Bill, the Senate would have 30 members, elected by STV , from six senatorial districts, four in the North Island and two in the South Island . Like the old Legislative Council it would not have powers to amend or delay money bills. The intention
3690-468: The day, and by extension the prime minister, must achieve and maintain the support of the House in order to gain and remain in power. The Government is dependent on Parliament to implement its legislative agenda, and has always required the House's approval to spend money . The Parliament does not have an upper house ; there was an upper house up to 1951, and there have been occasional suggestions to create
3772-457: The destruction of the building the Parliament occupied the adjacent Government House (where the Beehive now sits) for ten years. After the old building burnt down, a contest was created for the new parliament building, which was won by Government Architect John Campbell . His design was divided into two stages. The first half, a Neoclassical building, contained both chambers and the second half Bellamy's (the parliamentary dining facility) and
3854-493: The first three floors. In the late 1990s there was consideration of moving the Beehive behind Parliament House, and finishing Parliament House according to the 1911 original plans. The plan was quickly scuttled due to a lack of public support and concerns about cost. Completed in 1899, the Parliamentary Library is the oldest of the buildings. It stands to the north of Parliament House (to its right, looking from
3936-471: The front). The library was designed in Gothic Revival style and was fire resistant, being constructed of masonry. The third storey of the design was not built, to save money. It had an iron fire-door separating the library from the main entrance section. This saved the library from the fire of 1907, which destroyed the rest of the timber parliament buildings. Along with Parliament House, the library
4018-451: The governor-general is responsible for dissolving Parliament, which is done by royal proclamation . Dissolution ends a parliamentary term, after which the writ for a general election is issued. Upon completion of the election, the governor-general, on the advice of the prime minister, then issues a proclamation summoning Parliament to assemble. On the date given, new MPs are sworn in and then are, along with returning MPs, called to
4100-430: The legislative process is limited) and the House of Representatives. Secondly, it can mean each group of MPs voted into office following a general election. In this sense, the 1st Parliament sat from 24 May 1854 to 15 September 1855. The current Parliament , which started on 5 December 2023, is the 54th. Lastly, "Parliament" may also refer to a physical place: most specifically the debating chamber where MPs meet, also
4182-492: The length of a parliamentary term, deciding on who can vote, how they vote (via secret ballot ), how the country should be divided into electorates, and the make-up of the Representation Commission, which decides on these electorates. These issues require either 75% of all MPs to support the bill or a referendum on the issue. As the entrenchment mechanism is not entrenched itself, it could be repealed by
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#17327802047534264-601: The old Legislative Council chamber, where they are instructed to elect their speaker and return to the House of Representatives to do so before adjourning. A new parliamentary session is marked by the Opening of Parliament , during which the governor-general reads the Speech from the Throne , on the King's behalf. This speech is given at the start of every new Parliament, and explains why Parliament has been assembled. It outlines
4346-408: The parliamentary chamber accessible to MP's children, giving carers and spouses the same security clearances as MPs, opening the Parliamentary swimming pool to the families of MPs and staff, and updating the family room to have baby-feeding and changing facilities, and a play area on Parliament's lawn. On 10 February 2021, Mallard announced that ties were no longer compulsory in Parliament following
4428-476: The parliamentary precinct, and blockaded nearby Molesworth Street . The protestors were cleared by Police on 2 March, after nearly four weeks. The protestors set fires and caused damage to the lawns, and vandalised Parliament Buildings. In 2022, then-Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard announced a new six-story building complex behind Parliament House on Museum Street. It takes the place of what
4510-561: The parties in the House of Representatives according to the parties' strength in that House. Senators would serve for three-year-terms, and be eligible for reappointment. The Senate would have the power to revise, initiate or delay legislation, to hear petitions, and to scrutinise regulations and Orders in Council , but the proposal was rejected by the Prime Minister and by the Labour opposition, which had refused to nominate members to
4592-411: The premier advised the governor on Council appointments) and party politics , meant that by the 20th century, the government usually controlled the Council as well as the House, and the passage of bills through the upper house became a mere formality. In 1951, the Council was ended altogether, making the New Zealand legislature unicameral . The Council sat for the last time on 1 December 1950, before it
4674-503: The remainder are list MPs . These MPs assemble to represent the people, pass laws and supervise the work of government. Members also form select committees of the House , appointed to deal with particular areas or issues. Ministers in the New Zealand Government are drawn from amongst the members of the House of Representatives (with the possible exception of brief periods following an election). The government of
4756-411: The remainder of seats are assigned to list MPs based on each party 's share of the total party vote. Māori were represented in Parliament from 1867, and in 1893 women gained the vote . Although elections can be called early, every three years Parliament is dissolved and goes up for reelection. Parliament is supreme over all other government institutions. The legislature is closely linked to
4838-535: The renamed Rowand Anderson & Paul & Partners. Spence's work was now concentrated on exhibition design, including three pavilions for the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow , and country houses. The first two of these, Broughton Place at Broughton near Biggar , and Quothquan in Lanarkshire , were executed in traditional Scottish styles at the client's request. The third was entirely modern. Gribloch
4920-618: The same angled fin concept as found at Coventry Cathedral). He also designed Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, which was unveiled in Snowdonia , north Wales , in 1968. Also in 1964, with support from the Nuffield Foundation, the University of Southampton built a theatre on its campus. Spence worked closely with Sir Richard Southern as consultant for the interior design and layout of the theatre. The Spence practice
5002-558: The second phase, which was finished in 1959. A third phase was completed in 1966 and included a museum to showcase Lord Kelvin 's old experimental apparatus. Some of this is still on display in the Kelvin Building today, with other items having been moved to form part of an exhibit at the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery . On 14 November 1940, Coventry's Anglican Cathedral was extensively damaged by German bombing,
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#17327802047535084-674: The term of the 4th Parliament ; Māori men aged 21 and over, whether or not they owned property, could vote to elect four Māori members of the House of Representatives. The Māori electorates have lasted far longer than the intended five years. In 2002, the seats increased in number to seven. One historical speciality of the New Zealand Parliament was the country quota , which gave greater representation to rural politics. From 1889 on (and even earlier in more informal forms), districts were weighted according to their urban/rural split (with any locality of less than 2,000 people considered rural). Those districts which had large rural proportions received
5166-447: The territorial jurisdiction of New Zealand's parliament. In 1986 a new Constitution Act was passed, finally removing the power for the British Parliament to pass laws affecting New Zealand (which was by then only with New Zealand's consent), restating the few remaining provisions of the 1852 Act, consolidating the legislation establishing Parliament, and officially replacing the name "General Assembly" with "Parliament". Beginning in
5248-489: The unfinished building in 1918. In 1922, the first stage was completed (the second stage was never built). Beginning in 1992, extensive work was undertaken to strengthen the building. Parliament House was finally officially opened in 1995 by Elizabeth II , Queen of New Zealand , after its refurbishment. The intention of the Liberal Government was for the design to be implemented in stages, eventually resulting in
5330-655: Was knighted in 1960 for his work at Coventry, while the cathedral was still being built. On 23 February 2012 the Royal Mail released a stamp featuring Coventry Cathedral as part of its "Britons of Distinction" series. In 1959, Spence secured two important commissions, for the British Embassy in Rome (completed 1971), and for the Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks in London (completed 1970). He
5412-404: Was a Scottish architect, most notably associated with Coventry Cathedral in England and the Beehive in New Zealand, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist / Brutalist style. Spence was born in Bombay , Bombay Presidency , British India , the son of Urwin Archibald Spence, an assayer with the Royal Mint . He was educated at the John Connon School, operated by
5494-414: Was also responsible for designing the high-rise Hutchesontown C housing in Glasgow. These were intended to replace the notorious slum tenements in the Gorbals area of the city. A combination of social deprivation and exclusion in the relevant areas, coupled to poor execution of his designs meant that the developments created as many problems as they solved, and led to their demolition in 1993. Spence
5576-510: Was also responsible for modernist buildings on The Canongate in Edinburgh, opposite the new Scottish Parliament and in view of Holyrood Palace . This area is named Brown's Close and was listed in 2008. Other work in the 1960s included the concept design for the executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington , nicknamed "The Beehive", and Abbotsinch Airport (now Glasgow Airport). In 1960, Spence designed Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh's Braid Hills area (based on
5658-541: Was appointed a junior lecturer, despite the fact that he was still a student. He continued to teach at ECA until 1939. After graduating in 1931, Kininmonth and Spence set up in practice together, based in a room within the office of Rowand Anderson & Paul (at that time having Arthur Forman Balfour Paul as sole partner), in Rutland Square, Edinburgh. The practice was founded on two residential commissions which Kininmonth had obtained that year. Spence also received commissions to illustrate other architects' work, including
5740-446: Was awarded an OBE in 1948 for his work in exhibition design, work which he continued with the Sea and Ships Pavilion for the 1951 Festival of Britain . That year he opened a London office, moving there permanently from 1953. A second office was opened in 1956 at Canonbury, which became the creative hub of the practice. Spence was External Professor of Architecture at the University of Leeds from 1955 to 1957 and from 1958 to 1960 he
5822-418: Was designed for John Colville, grandson of the founder of Colville's Iron Works, and his American wife. It was designed in a modernist Regency style, with assistance from Perry Duncan, an American architect hired by the Colvilles when Spence was too busy with exhibition work to progress the project. In 1939, Spence was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Camouflage Training and Development Centre of
5904-515: Was for an unexecuted cultural centre for Bahrain , which he worked on during illness in 1976. Some of his final commissions were built after his death; for example, his design for the new Glasgow Royal Infirmary was completed in 1981. Spence died in November 1976 at his home at Yaxley, Suffolk and was buried at nearby Thornham Parva . His practice, Spence, Ferguson and Glover, continued until 1992 before being disbanded. In 2004, following
5986-488: Was formally abolished on 1 January 1951. At the time of its abolition the upper house had fifty-four members, including its own speaker . Under the Constitution Act, legislative power was also conferred on New Zealand's provinces (originally six in number), each of which had its own elected provincial council. These provincial councils were able to legislate for their provinces on most subjects. New Zealand
6068-561: Was formerly Parliament's carpark, and is designed to house MPs that can no longer be accommodated in the main building. The complex will be constructed out of wood to allow high earthquake resilience in combination with base isolation technology. It is set to be completed in time for the 2026 election. The land intended for the second stage of Parliament House is occupied by the Executive Wing. This building conceived by British architect Sir Basil Spence in 1964, largely designed by
6150-461: Was having no significant impact on New Zealand's legislative process; its final sitting was on 1 December 1950. In September 1950, the National government of Sidney Holland set up a constitutional reform committee to consider an alternative second chamber, chaired by Ronald Algie . A report produced by the committee in 1952 proposed a nominated Senate , with 32 members, appointed by leaders of
6232-405: Was in 1998). It is also possible for individual MPs to promote their own bills, called members' bills ; these are usually put forward by opposition parties, or by MPs who wish to deal with a matter that parties do not take positions on. All bills must go through three readings in the House of Representatives before receiving the Royal Assent to become an act of Parliament (see lists of acts of
6314-533: Was never a federation comparable to Canada or Australia; Parliament could legislate concurrently with the provinces on any matter, and in the event of a conflict, the law passed by Parliament would prevail. Over a twenty-year period, political power was progressively centralised, and the provinces were abolished altogether in 1876. New Zealand had representatives of the indigenous population in its parliament from an early date, in contrast to many other colonial states. Reserved Māori seats were created in 1867 during
6396-614: Was rearranged in 1964, with the Canonbury office being renamed Sir Basil Spence OM RA, and the second London office Spence Bonnington & Collins. The Edinburgh office was also renamed for its partners, Spence Glover & Ferguson. From 1961 to 1968, Spence was Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy . Through the 1970s, Spence continued to work on public and private commissions, universities and offices including Aston University Library and Management Centre. His last work
6478-502: Was strengthened and refurbished in the 1990s. This included recreating Gothic elements of the roof including ironwork, turrets and finials. It still houses Parliament's library. The building is registered with Heritage New Zealand (previously called the New Zealand Historic Places Trust) as a Category 1 heritage structure with registration number 217. A 22-storey office building across Bowen Street from
6560-610: Was the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects . Basil Spence & Partners were responsible for the redevelopment and extension of the University of Glasgow 's Kelvin Building, which houses its School of Physics and Astronomy. The project was carried out in three phases. The first, 1947–1952, added a new lecture theatre and housed a synchrotron. Teaching laboratories and another lecture theatre were added in
6642-569: Was the first MP to bring her baby into the debating chamber while fellow National MP Katherine Rich was the first MP to feed her baby in the House. During the 1990s, a child care centre was established for the children of MPs and parliamentary staff. In November 2017, the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard announced that Parliament would becoming more "baby friendly." Family friendly policies have included making an atrium near
6724-458: Was to include a question on a Senate in the second referendum on electoral reform . Voters would be asked, if they did not want a new voting system, whether or not they wanted a Senate. However, following objections from the Labour opposition, which derided it as a red herring , and other supporters of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) representation system, the Senate question was removed by
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