The 54th New Zealand parliament has shut up shop and is about to be “dissolved”. Every three years, the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to the King reads a proclamation signed by the Governor General to officially end New Zealand parliament. This year, the dissolution will take place on Thursday, October 1.

The current government will continue to run the country through “executive decision-making”, but there will be no more legislating or responding to petitions.

Once New Zealand has voted in the general election, the government will move into a caretaker role until a new government is formed. A few weeks later, the official results will be known, and within the next six weeks the Governor General must summon the 55th parliament to the House for the first time and it all begins again.

Directed, filmed and edited by Isaiah Tour.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.