Extended Hours Prove Remarkably Efficient

The first use of extended hours on Thursday resulted in the House making progress on eight bills in two and a half hours.

Usually each bill and each debate over it could take up to two hours, but MPs worked together to ensure they were all completed in one evening session.

The Ngai Tāmanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngāti Mākino Claims Settlement Bill completed their joint first reading in less than two hours on a voice vote and were sent to the Maori Affairs Committee for consideration.

The following bills were debated together and completed their second reading in less than one hour on a voice vote.
Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Whare Claims Settlement Bill
Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill
Ngati Pahauwera Treaty Claims Settlement Bill
Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill.

Then in a remarkable bout of parliamentary co-operation the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 2) passed through its second reading and all remaining stages in just a few minutes as did the first reading of the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 3).

The House adjourned at 10 pm and will not need to sit on Friday morning.

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