Tauranga chartered accountant Neil Fullerton does not miss wearing a tie. Photo / George Novak
Tauranga chartered accountant Neil Fullerton does not miss wearing a tie. Photo / George Novak
Is time up for the compulsory necktie at work?
That's one of the debates that has sprung from clashes between Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi and Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard over appropriate neckwear for Parliament this week.
On Tuesday, Mallard ejected Waititi from the House after the Maori Partyco-leader wore a traditional hei-tiki in place of a Western-style tie, saying it was a matter of cultural identity and that many New Zealanders would consider it a tie.
Today, however, Mallard backed down and allowed Waititi, again wearing the hei-tiki, to stay in Parliament.
Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi wore a hei-tiki in place of a tie in the House on Wednesday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The rules were expected to be debated on Wednesday night.
Mallard has previously said he was keen to relax the tie rule, but after consulting with MPs the majority wanted it to stay.
"Having considered those views, I have decided that no change in current standards is warranted. Business attire, including a jacket and tie for men, remains the required dress standard," he said.
Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / File
For many professionals, however, a tie is no longer part of the expected standard.
He said he didn't hate ties and wore them for many years but he was more comfortable without one.
"Parliament needs to change with the times. It should seriously reflect on whether having ties changes the way it does business."
Simon Anderson, managing director of the Realty Group Ltd, which operates Eves and Bayleys, said he wore a tie to work every day.
Simon Anderson of Realty Group wears a tie to work every day. Photo / File
For him, putting on a tie in the morning signalled a mental shift.
"It separates home and work. It's like, game on; the tie goes on and I am thinking about work.
"It's something I have always done."
In his view, someone in a suit and tie looked smart and ready for business.
"I don't feel comfortable in them every day but I think it's important."
He said he did not have an issue with other people not wearing a tie as part of their professional attire, but there were situations in his business where he believed one should be worn, particularly board meetings and key client engagements.
Regarding Parliament's debate on ties, he said: "As long as someone is engaged, listening and offering worthwhile and intelligent comments in debates, whether they have got a tie on doesn't matter."
Ngāi Te Rangi iwi chief executive Paora Stanley said he didn't care for ties and thought they were "stuffy".
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley. Photo / File
He viewed being forced to wear one by someone else as a form of subjugation.
"In today's liberal society, relaxed as we are, what is the big deal about a tie? Who cares?
"For me, it's about critically analysing why we have to wear a tie.
"If it is about being respectful, there is more than one way to look and be respectful."
He said people could show respect through their speech, affirmations and actions.
"I conduct lots of meetings, including with politicians, and I don't wear a tie to meet politicians... I've met several times with senior ministers in jeans."
"In 2021, why does everyone have to look the same and dress the same?"
Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell said he was happy to wear a tie for formal occasions and events, including council meetings, but tended not to otherwise.
Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell in his office. Photo / File
Council general manager of people and engagement Susan Jamieson said the only requirement for staff was a professional standard of dress in the workplace.
"We don't have any mandated expectations for the executive or elected members, however I know that my male peers often choose to wear a tie for council meetings.
"In my experience, dress code does depend on the environment and the industry and can vary widely. It would be fair to say I see less ties in the workplace now than I did a decade ago," she said.
Rotorua lawyer Scott Mills said a tie was still the formal standard of dress expected in court.
A male lawyer not wearing a tie risked their submissions falling on deaf ears.
"If you are not appropriately dressed, a judge can refuse to hear you."
According to etiquette guidelines for counsel posted on the Courts of New Zealand website, "reasonably formal" attire is appropriate in court.
"For men, this will be a dark coloured suit with a collared shirt and tie, and for women attire of an equivalent standard."
Mills said the legal profession was "rooted in tradition and process" and a respectful dress code was part of that.
"I personally don't see a relaxation of clothing happening and certainly not to the extent of not having to wear a tie."
