Over forty Commonwealth Clerks and parliamentary officials from across the CPA’s membership attended the CPA Advanced Residency Programme for Leadership in Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand from 7 to 11 July 2025. This was the second Residency Programme held for Clerks and parliamentary officials as part of the CPA Parliamentary Academy.

The five-day programme is specifically designed for parliamentary officials and enhances skills on topics ranging from leadership and strategic thinking to project management and conflict resolution. The Residency course provided attendees with an opportunity to meet in-person and learn from their colleagues in other Parliaments across the Commonwealth in a unique ‘training for trainers’ session which embeds sustainability into parliamentary learning and development.

The programme was co-hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters Secretariat and the New Zealand Parliament with delegates attending from 28 Legislatures - including Australian Capital Territory; Australia Federal; Belize; Bihar; Bougainville; Canada Federal; Cook Islands; Eswatini; India Union; Kanataka; Kenya; Manipur; Namibia; New South Wales; New Zealand; Northern Territory; North-West (South Africa); Nova Scotia; Pakistan; Punjab (Pakistan); Queensland; Saint Lucia; South Australia; Tanzania; Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom; Western Australia; Western Cape.

The delegates were welcomed by the CPA Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni, MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, New Zealand Parliament and Mr Rafael Gonzalez-Montero, Chief Executive, Parliamentary Service at New Zealand Parliament. A traditional Māori welcome ceremony was held with a pōwhiri in the Banquet Hall.

CPA Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni, MP said:

“This was a fantastic CPA programme that I was proud to be involved with. The programme offers an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the Commonwealth and develop key leadership skills to manage Parliaments, both large and small.”

Mr Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said:

“Having attended the first CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency in Sri Lanka last year as a Mentor, I was determined to host this important professional development opportunity for Commonwealth Clerks and officials at the New Zealand Parliament to both share our expertise and to learn from others.”

In a message to the CPA programme, the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg, said:

“I am very grateful to the New Zealand Parliament for hosting the second CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency for Clerks. The Academy continues to go from strength to strength in promoting mutual learning and best practice. It also offers a great opportunity for Clerks and parliamentary officials to network, learn and develop their skills.”

Participants at the CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency heard from experts from across the Commonwealth including:

• Hon. Poto Williams, Former Member of New Zealand Parliament and Government Minister;
• Mr Brian Caesar, Clerk of the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives;
• Mr Simon Ross, Guernsey States Assembly Greffier (or Clerk); and
• Ms Kate Faragher, Professional Trainer in political sector.

Since the launch of the CPA Parliamentary Academy in 2021, there have been six Residency courses for Parliamentarians that were hosted by New South Wales (Australia), Western Cape (South Africa), Alberta (Canada), Scotland, Malaysia and Malta.

This is the second time that a Residency Programme has been held for Clerks and parliamentary officials with the first in Sri Lanka last year. The CPA Parliamentary Academy Residency courses complement the CPA’s online courses, providing face-to-face interactive learning and knowledge-sharing at a more advanced level.

For images of the Residency programme please click here. 

-ENDS-

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

For media enquiries, please contact communications@cpahq.org.