Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Political diary for week starting 4 February

Updated at 5:44 pm on 3 February 2013

The political diary is compiled by Radio New Zealand's political reporters and sets outs the schedule of political events, speeches, debates, select committee hearings and other parliamentary business expected in the week beginning Monday 4 February.

Monday

The Cabinet holds its regular meeting on Monday. Ministers are expected to decide what to do next in determining whether David Bain should be paid compensation. After rejecting the report by retired Canadian Supreme Court judge Justice Ian Binnie the options ministers are considering range from having another report done to setting up a panel of experts to advise on the matter. Senior minister Steven Joyce is also expected to update the Cabinet on the work he has been doing on resolving the Novopay school pay system debacle and will initiate a ministerial inquiry.

The Labour Party caucus is meeting in West Auckland on Monday. The first piece of business on the agenda is a confidence vote in leader David Shearer. Having already won unanimous support late last year Mr Shearer is again expected to be endorsed by his MPs.

Tuesday

Prime Minister, John Key, and other political leaders arrive at Waitangi on Tuesday morning. Tuesday is a day for politics. Political leaders are expected on Te Tii Marae where they will be given the opportunity to speak - if they are not drowned out by protesters - and in turn then listen to the concerns of local iwi. Later in the day they attend the Governor-General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae's reception at the Copthorne Hotel.

Wednesday

Mr Key and other political leaders start the day early by attending the dawn ceremony at Waitangi. After that they will leave Waitangi to make their way back to Auckland and elsewhere to attend other Waitangi Day events.

Thursday

No select committees are sitting this week. Parliament and the select committees resume next week.

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