NZHistory.net.nz > Gallery > The House > Sound files
These sound files have been created as mp3 files and will open in your computer's default mp3 player. The size of each file is indicated in brackets after the sound link. All files have been transcribed, apart from two re-enactments which are described on this page.
Members and staff (471k). Francis Fisher, MP between 1905 and 1914, conjures up a picture of the old-time MPs, many of whom served in the New Zealand wars and had a military bearing, and of the Armed Constabulary with their splendid uniforms. From 'Mr F.M.B. Fisher reminiscences', 1959, TX37, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Social life (207k). Parliament provided one of the first tennis courts in the country, in the early 1870s. It was a popular pastime which Francis Fisher, MP between 1905 and 1914, witnessed as a boy. He went on to represent New Zealand at tennis. From 'Mr F.M.B. Fisher reminiscences', 1959, TX37, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Buildings and grounds (340k).Francis Fisher, MP between 1905 and 1914, reminisces about the nineteenth-century grounds he experienced as a child – transformed from 'native bush' to 'grass, gravel and concrete' under Premier Seddon. From 'Mr F.M.B. Fisher reminiscences', 1959, TX37, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>.
Lobby (392k). Hear Francis Fisher, MP between 1905 and 1914, remembering the old buildings and their social hub of the Lobby where MPs consorted in activities parliamentary and unparliamentary. From 'Mr F.M.B. Fisher reminiscences', 1959, TX37, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Legislative Department (383k). Clerk of the House of Representatives T.D.H. Hall describes his work and the long hours – 'one night the division bells rang 55 times'. From T.D.H. Hall reminisces, 1952, D247, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
End of Legislative Council (285k). Charles Wheeler, longstanding press gallery reporter from the turn of the twentieth century and parliamentary commentator, describes the role of the Legislative Council and its abolition in 1950 – 'its handsome meeting place ... is empty and silent'. From 'The end of the Legislative Council', by Charles E. Wheeler, c. 1951, D655, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Maori members (142k). Clerk of the House of Representatives T.D.H. Hall talks of Maori MPs using te reo in the House – 'I learnt my English from a bullock-driver'. From T.D.H. Hall reminisces, 1952, D247, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
First broadcast of Parliament (604k). Charles Wheeler, longstanding press gallery reporter from the turn of the twentieth century and parliamentary commentator, is at the microphone for the first broadcast of Parliament on 25 March 1936 – ' New Zealand is blazing the trail in allowing parliamentary broadcasts'. We hear Speaker-elect Barnard speaking. From 'First broadcast from Parliament', 1936, T2294, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Fire of 1907 (312k). Describes the disastrous fire in the early hours of 11 December 1907 in the old tinder-dry buildings. From 'Today in NZ history, 11 December 1907, Parliament Buildings burnt down', D2468, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Prayer (307k). Narrates the contentious establishment of a prayer for the House in the first days of 1854. Religious differences between Protestant and Catholic were deftly handled by Speaker Clifford (Catholic himself) in bringing the local Anglican clergyman in to do the honours. From 'Today in NZ history, 16 June 1854, Parliament opens with a prayer', D2422.2, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Wreck of the White Swan (563k). Tells the story of the wreck of the ship carrying the government to Wellington in 1862 – an episode providing a convenient excuse thenceforth for the loss of government papers. From 'Today in NZ history, 29 June 1862, the wreck of the White Swan', D2426, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Parliamentary train (483k). Railway guard Mr Field talks of the connection of the North Island main trunk line and the Parliament Special train that ran north to Auckland in August 1908 to greet the American 'Great White Fleet'. From 'Closing the gap', T92, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
John A. Lee (1mb). Two MPs, John A. Lee and Keith Holyoake, chat about old times. Lee attacks Prime Minister Massey, accommodation for MPs, state openings, seating in the chamber, debating, and Lee's impact on the House – 'I had the House in tears'. From Spectrum 160, 'The acceptable rebel', part 2, CDR1043, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
Parliamentary humour (622k). Francis Fisher, MP between 1905 and 1914, describes some long-remembered humorous anecdotes concerning MPs' attempts to sound erudite, from 'Archie Meads' and 'Ibid' to Alexander Hogg comparing the 'bill of fare of the average cow cocky' with a 'menu card from a first class hotel'. From 'Parliamentary humour', by F.M.B. Fisher, D2159, New Zealand Sound Archives. See full transcript of this file>>
A day in our first Parliament. This is a re-enactment of a somewhat farcical confrontation in the first session of Parliament in 1854 when the Governor attempted to prorogue Parliament as the issue of responsible government became vexed. James Fitzgerald's and Henry Sewell's majority of the House wanted to discuss the Governor's message in order to condemn it but were prevented by the standing orders. They tried to suspend the standing orders to do so, whereupon Edward Gibbon Wakefield's minority faction walked out preventing a quorum. When some MPs re-entered the chamber they were physically prevented from leaving again and a motion suspending the standing orders was passed. At this time James Mackay, a Wakefield supporter, entered the House wearing his hat and flourishing a Gazette notice to demonstrate that Parliament had officially been prorogued. A scuffle broke out with Sewell manhandling Mackay as the latter brandished his umbrella. Excerpt from 'A day in our first Parliament, 1854', D744, New Zealand Sound Archives.
Fred Dagg's parliamentary broadcast. Comedien Fred Dagg (John Clarke) creates the atmosphere of debates in the House in this tongue-in-cheek sketch. From Fred Dagg, 'A parliamentary broadcast', EMI, 1977, 45/257, New Zealand Sound Archives.