Beehive launch cuts the cake on important new book

Wellington's Beehive was the venue for yesterday evening's unveiling of the fourth edition of the definitive guide to the practice and procedure of the New Zealand House of Representatives.

Politicians and parliamentary experts, both present and past, were in attendance for the launch of Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand — authored by former Clerk of the House of Representatives David McGee, and fully revised by Mary Harris (who was the Clerk until 2015) and David Wilson (the present office holder).

Clerks past and present, from left: Mary Harris, David Wilson and David McGee at last night's event
(Photo courtesy Office of the Clerk)

Speaking to the assembled guests, David Wilson praised the large team from the Office of the House of Representatives that had helped to bring this large book to completition, notably assistant editors Pavan Sharma and David Bagnall.

He noted that 12 years had passed since the previous edition, necessitating numerous revisions to content and structure of the book, including measures to make the work more accessible to readers.

Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand is available for the first time as an ebook, as well as an 896-page printed edition.

A splendid cake in a shape of the book, baked by Andie Lindsay, executive
assistant to the Clerk of the House of Representatives 

David Wilson cuts the cake to mark the launch of the fourth edition

Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand to be launched this evening

Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand, the fourth edition of the definitive guide to the workings of the New Zealand parliament, will be launched this evening at the Beehive, Wellington.

Politicians, leading civil servants, the legal fraternity and the bookselling community will all be represented at the launch in the Banquet Hall. A full report will be on this blog after the event.

The book will be on sale from tomorrow, 24 May, in all good bookstores.

Publication Date: 24 May 2017  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-24-7 |  RRP $75.00

Paperback, 245 x 155 mm, 896 pages black & white

Ebook:  ISBN 978-0-947506-27-8 |  RRP $45.00

Oratia Media to publish New Zealand parliamentary guide

At the conclusion of a public request for proposals and selection process, the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives has appointed Oratia Media to publish the fourth edition of the authoritative guide to the conduct of our Parliament – Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand.

West Auckland-based Oratia Media will publish the book as a high-quality paperback and an ebook, with a provisional publication date of August 2016.

Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand provides a detailed description of New Zealand’s parliamentary practice. It is an authoritative text for use by members of Parliament, public servants, academics, parliamentary officers and other working professionals who have an interest in Parliament, such as the legal profession.

David Wilson, Clerk of the House of Representatives, commented: “We’re really excited to be working with Oratia to produce a new edition of a much-used text. Producing an ebook will be a first for our Parliament and will hopefully widen its readership even further.”

Peter Dowling, Managing Director of Oratia Media, welcomed the agreement to publish Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand. “We’ve brought together an experienced team in Auckland, Wellington and Oamaru to edit and design this significant work, and look forward to a close relationship with the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives.”

Further information about the book will be released closer to the publication date.

Provisional Publication Date: August 2016