Deputy Speaker Anne Tolley feels awful that she upset Youth MP Lily Dorrance and has apologised to her, to Speaker Trevor Mallard, and to former Speaker David Carter.
During a general debate in the House yesterday, Tolley interrupted Dorrance, who is the Youth MP for National MP David Carter, and asked her to speak without reading from her notes.
Dorrance was giving an impassioned speech about mental health, and had spoken about losing a friend to suicide.
"When she interrupted me it was awful," Dorrance told the Herald last night.
"As soon as I sat down I burst into tears and had to leave … It was just humiliating."
Tolley told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford she's apologised for the incident, which came out of a misunderstanding.
"I had a discussion with the clerk at lunchtime cause I did ask are they respecting the normal rules of a general debate where you don't read speeches. I thought that he said yes they did, but apparently they didn't."
Youth MP Ethan Griffiths said the Ministry of Youth Development told them to stick to their scripts, for Hansard's purposes.
"So we were actually instructed to write full speeches. Anne Tolley walked up into the house yesterday and decided no, that's not how we are going to do it."
The capital has this week hosted the Youth Parliament, which every three years brings together teenagers from around the country to try their hand at being MPs, including by speaking in the House in front of cameras.
Mallard said he did not comment on presiding officers.
Where to get help:
• Lifeline : 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline : 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline : 0800 376 633
• Kidsline : 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup : 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm)
• Depression helpline : 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth : (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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