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Parliament Open Day on Sunday 7 November

A fun day for families is promised at this year’s Parliament Open Day, with lots of interactive activities. The theme is Then and Now. Parliamentary Service Project Manager for Open Day, Chris Tracey, says there will be more displays and activities than ever before. “Our aim is to encourage people to participate in the democratic process and learn more about Parliament.”

Visitors will take part in self-guided tours of the parliamentary precinct. More than 100 parliamentary staff will be on hand to provide information and guidance.

Members of the public can visit areas usually closed to them, including the National Crisis Management Centre deep in the basement of the Beehive. They can go behind the scenes of the Parliamentary Library and the Office of the Speaker.

There will be an opportunity to sit in the Prime Minister’s car – CR1 – on the parliamentary forecourt. Visitors can also view state-of-the-art select committee rooms and an exhibition by Whanganui artists.

For children there will be interactive activities, competitions, a quiz, and the chance to dress up and sit on a replica Speaker’s chair. They can also try out Parliament’s interactive website.

Special-interest tours will include exhibitions of art works, a perspective on Māori participation in Parliament, and a chance to learn more about the grounds and gardens.

Food will be available at Parliament’s café.

Open Day is free. Visitors will be admitted from 10 a.m., with last entry at 3.30 p.m.

Entry will be via the main entrance to the Beehive and Parliament House (to the left of the main steps of Parliament House) or the ground floor of Bowen House (on Lambton Quay).

Neighbouring buildings will also be open to the public. They include the Supreme Court, the Reserve Bank Museum, Old Government Buildings, Old Saint Paul’s and Katherine Mansfield House. The Supreme Court complex, which includes the new Supreme Court and old High Court, will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing an opportunity to view award-winning architecture.

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