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The election of parliament's new speaker has left opposition parties disgruntled.
With Lockwood Smith heading to London as New Zealand's ambassador to the Court of St James, National's David Carter won the post in a 65-52 vote after Labour putt up Trevor Mallard as a last minute candidate.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says National treated parliament with disrespect by failing to consult with opposition parties about its choice.
He says the appointment of Dr Smith as New Zealand's High Commissioner in London is also part of a worrying trend in the way the speaker's role is treated.
Meanwhile, National List MP Tau Henare, who dropped out of the race after failing to attract sufficient support from opposition parties and none at all from his own caucus, told his Facebook followers that sometimes you can still win if you lose.
Mr Henare says while he is not enamoured with Mr Carter, he has no doubt he will be an OK speaker given time.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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