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Story: Parliament

Opening Parliament

Video file

Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament in 1954, during her first visit to New Zealand. Here, she reads the speech from the throne. The sovereign is the source of all legal executive authority, but she or her representative, the governor-general, act on the advice of the government.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Pictorial Parade 19. National Film Unit, 1954

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

John E. Martin, Parliament – Parliament overview, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/33671/opening-parliament (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John E. Martin, published 23 May 2012, updated 1 February 2015.