The Speaker of the House is defending a decision to drop references to the Queen and Jesus from Parliamentary prayer.
It was read in Te Reo by Trevor Mallard on Thursday, despite consultation to do so still underway.
But he told RadioLIVE's Your Sunday it will be discussed widely with caucus.
"It's been quite a strong view amongst a significant number of members who feel we should have a prayer which people with a variety of different deities can accept," he says.
While Mr Mallard has already adopted the revised version, MPs remain divided on the subject.
- Speaker reads opening prayer in Te Reo in Parliament
- Baby sits on Speaker's lap as Paid Parental Leave discussed in NZ Parliament
The proposed version in Te Reo as performed by Mr Mallard:
E Te Atua Kaha Rawa, Ka tuku
whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia
kua waihotia mai ki runga o Aotearoa.
Ka waiho nei I ō mātou pānga whaiaro
katoa ki te taha, nei rā ēnei e īnoi atu ana
mō Tō ārahitanga, I roto i ō mātou
whakaaroarohanga, ā, kia whakahaere ai
e mātou ngā take o Te Whare nei, I runga
i te mōhio, me te whakaiti mō te oranga,
te maungārongo, o te tūmatanui o Aotearoa.
Amene.
Translation:
Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed on New Zealand.
Laying aside all personal interests, we pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the public welfare and peace of New Zealand.
Amen.
Newshub.
