"The law in New Zealand should remain current and uncluttered. This repeal bill will address a broader issue of older legislation clogging up the books," he said.
Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway did not appear to see the legislation in the same light, calling it an "absolute waste of a members' day".
"I want only to note that the Labour Party supports this bill because it does no harm. It certainly will not do the nation any good. It will not fix the economy. It will not do anything useful, whatsoever."
Other parties also got in on the act, joking about the necessity of such a bill.
Green Party MP Kennedy Graham joked that he had considered introducing his own bill to bring the legislation back, but "the burden of this debate has now persuaded me against that line of approach".
New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser used the opportunity to make fun of comments previously made about Finland by Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee, informing the House that his party was unable to support the bill due to the impending military threat posed by Finland.
"Thanks - or perhaps it should be no thanks - to recent comments made by the Leader of the House, it is possible that Finland may now harbour hostile intentions towards this country," Mr Prosser said.
