The phallic necktie is a symbol of outdated white male supremacy in our parliament | Claire Robinson

A piece of clothing that descends from the codpiece and is designed to promulgate while male power should be optional

Last week it was reported that the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, had decided to keep the requirement that male MPs wear neckties in the New Zealand parliament's debating chamber after asking members of parliament to write to him about what constitutes appropriate business attire in the House.

If there was ever a year to change New Zealand's anachronistic parliamentary dress code, it should be 2021, when the new parliament is the most diverse and inclusive ever, including 48% women, 11% LGBTQ, 21% Mori, 8.3% Pacific, and 7% Asian New Zealand members.