Listen Now: 
Download AudioParliament’s next Speaker is promising soul and funk rather than Barry Manilow.
Adrian Rurawhe will take over the task of overseeing parliament after Trevor Mallard retires in August.
One of Mr Mallard’s most controversial actions was using Barry Manilow and garden sprinklers to try to get protesters to leave Parliament grounds.
Mr Ruawhe says as assistant speaker he has sometimes used Maori humour in controlling a debate.
“It’s best for the order of the House to have a bit of a chuckle now and then. Things will go a lot smoother if you’re not overly officious, so that’s what I try to do when I’m presiding in the House, to be in the moment and what fits with that moment and if it’s a bit of humour, that’s always helpful,” he says.
Mr Ruawhe says at other time the role requires a very firm hand.
RELATED NEWS
