Points of Order — House Dress Code—Branded Apparel

Point of order. Mr Speaker, when you were earlier this year considering business attire, there were some submissions that were concerned that allowing MPs not to wear ties would be the beginning of a slippery slope towards a very different standard of dress in the Chamber. And I wonder if you might like to reflect on that this afternoon.

Well, I have been reflective of it and I’ve been warned of it, and I think I only have one comment to make and that’s: whakanuia te tangata. Ringa raupā.

[Exalt the person. Calloused hands.]

Point of order. Your guidance, Mr Speaker, then: is business attire to include clothing branded with logos?

Generally, no, but in this particular case the member has sought advice appropriately as to what she was going to be wearing, and it was certainly my view that on balance, given the very good cause that is involved, I’m prepared to let it pass.

Point of order, Mr Speaker. If I may just explain to the House. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The money that was raised through the New Zealand Rural Games Trust is over $6,000 for scholarships for agricultural students—youth. So that’s where the cause is going to. But it’s also been substantially supported by Sir John Kirwan in terms of bringing attention to rural mental health and wellbeing. So two worthy things happening there, and that’s the reason why I’m here today. Thank you.