Regional differences in Westminster-style Parliaments

[james_davis_nicoll]

New Zealand's parliamentary style appears to include more spontaneous outbursts of celebratory song than Canada's.

Comments

[mab_browne]

I love my country right now. :-)

[zeborah]

Thanks for the YouTube clip; due to technical issues I listened to the night's events on my trusty dusty analogue audio livestreamer (set to 882 AM) so missed out on the flowers and hugs.

[errolwi.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's spontaneous when the Speaker announces it before the results (waiata = song)?

People may find this 'translation' of the significance useful.
http://zeborahnz.livejournal.com/126768.html

[viktor-haag.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that a waiata is often given at moments of social import like this, and perhaps this is not the first time this has happened in the NZ parliament.

It reminded me of my youth. In a completely different context, but nevertheless. (606, for those who know what that means.)

[soon_lee]

What, it doesn't happen in other parliaments?

[viktor-haag.livejournal.com]

The Canadian parliament has spontaneous outbursts. I'm not sure that it has a gallery that gleefully engages in ritual song. Or that the chamber would be so accommodating to a gallery that did.

[selidor]

This.
(also, the chamber stopping to pay attention to the gallery? Perfect.)

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

What does "King and Lionheart" have to do with the NZ parliament?

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

I don't see King and Lionheart as the video here. Do you?

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Yes. "Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart"... or it did until I reloaded.

[(Anonymous)]

Congratulations, New Zealand!

It was beautiful! Is this song so well-known that they can sing the harmony spontaneously?

--Awesome Aud

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

It is a very,very well known song and refers to a famous Maori legend of two lovers.

[viktor-haag.livejournal.com]

Those of us who grew up in a harmony singing culture can pretty much do harmony "spontaneously", or at least fake it. There's lots of hymns I know from my youth that sound just as impressive as this waiata when sung by a large crowd of people.¹

I once sang 606 in a crowd of over 500 congregants, in harmony, and the experience was ... well, let's just say shattering.

---

¹ music starts at about 1:00.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

The Australian Parliament is given to spontaneous outbursts....of vitriol.

[dharawal.livejournal.com]

Oh NZ there are times when I despair of you and then there are times when I just love you to many many millions of pieces, this is one of those times.

I am so ashamed that Australia has yet to embrace this, I won't even expect the gallery to burst into song, but I do expect my Parliament to follow the wishes of the people.

66% of Australians support same sex marriage, get on with it.

Also I love that song, we used to sing it in choir back when I was a wee tacker.

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Learnt both the Maori and one version of the translated words in primary school. Can still remember some of it.