MP 101 as fresh faces learn ropes

Ron Mark has a head-start on NZ First's new faces, having been an MP before. Photo / APN

It will be like the first day of school when 29 new MPs, 15 of them from the National Party, turn up to various caucus meetings at Parliament today.

Almost a quarter of the National Party caucus will be new.

The caucus with an even bigger portion of new faces is that of New Zealand First.

Of its 11 MPs, 54.5 per cent are new members, although two of them, Ron Mark and Pita Paraone, have been MPs before, several Parliaments ago.

Act has the highest turnover at 100 per cent, with sole MP David Seymour replacing John Banks as both MP for Epsom and the sole Act MP.

It will be silver tray day at the National Party caucus where 15 retiring MPs will be presented with an engraved tray and new MPs welcomed.

After caucus, new MPs will then be officially welcomed to Parliament by Speaker David Carter to begin a two-week induction course.

The induction programme will involve presentations from experienced MPs, role-playing to familiarise them with Question Time and select committees, and how to avoid embarrassing headlines over improper expenditure or hiring family members.

"Being elected a Member of Parliament is an overwhelming experience," said Mr Carter. "It's a steep learning curve."