Podcasts by The House
Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.
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Parliament: A change of ends and a new referee from 2023-12-10T07:30
A new Parliament, a new Prime Minister, a new Speaker. There was a lot going on at Parliament in the first week of its 54th incarnation.
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Parliament’s first choice of debate topic is Gaza from 2023-12-07T18:54
Parliament pushed back it's business on Thursday to begin with an hour of debate over how far to go in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Pomp and ceremony gets Parliament underway from 2023-12-06T18:55
Parliament business got underway after the State Opening of the 54th Parliament, a ceremony of pomp and pageantry culminating in the Speech from the Throne.
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Parliament's new Speaker hints at free flow style from 2023-12-05T18:55
The new Speaker Gerry Brownlee has offered a heads-up about how he'll run Parliament, with Standing Orders to be a mere guide rather than a strict line to follow.
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Select committees by Zoom, the great leveller from 2022-05-01T07:35
Doing select committees by Zoom can be clunky and lacking in nuance compared to in-person experience, but those who chair committees acknowledge that it improves overall accessibility of the public...
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Painting the legal jigsaw, one piece at a time from 2022-04-24T07:30
MPs are forever critiquing the law, but they seldom write it. They leave that to a team of experts who found a creative legal job you never knew existed.
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Police: The unenviable portfolio from 2022-04-17T07:30
Ministers of the crown may seem powerful, but the reality of their roles vary greatly. Some are endowed with great influence, some others just come with blame.
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It’s the putting right that counts, or something like that from 2022-04-14T18:55
Debating legislation is about getting things right, but sometimes settling on what is right can be a bruising exercise for MPs, as Parliament witnessed during debate on a Member’s Bill today.
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Urgency called for as parliament committee works on pay gaps from 2022-04-13T18:55
Parliament’s Education and Workforce select committee has recommended that Government should consider requiring greater pay transparency from employers, and has been petitioned to add some urgency ...
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Duelling quotes and holiday stars from 2022-04-10T07:35
This week in The House Phil Smith talks the tactics of Question Time while Johnny Blades looks at the unified division of debate over the new Matariki Public Holiday.
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The vanishing fallacy: The tactics of Question Time from 2022-04-06T18:55
Question Time is a contest where the tactics constantly evolve, and counter tactics shift to respond. This week one clever tactic appeared suddenly to disappear.
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Back to font: Parliament as the source of cash and power from 2022-04-05T18:55
This week's reduction for Road User Charges shows Parliament is always the source of power and of cash.
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Managing MPs - the ‘staff’ you can’t fire from 2022-04-03T07:35
Parliament’s Speaker is on a mission to stop workplace bullying and improve behaviour, even that of the ‘staff’ who can’t be fired.
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Lessons from Christchurch inform Earthquake Commission transition from 2022-03-31T18:55
A new Bill looks to make life easier for people affected by major disasters, following the human disaster created by shortcomings of the Earthquake Commission in its response to the Christchurch ea...
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Parliament’s second spring: a public return from 2022-03-30T18:55
Parliament has reworked its traffic light settings and the public are returning to the precinct, including school visits, public events, tours and public galleries in the debating chamber.
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Decoding the names of bills from 2022-03-29T18:55
A bill by any other name (would be utterly confusing). We decode the naming rules for Parliament’s bills and laws.
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Bill seeks streamlined path through surrogacy process from 2022-03-27T07:35
Surrogacy arrangements can often be difficult legal and health processes to navigate for intending parents and surrogates. A new Member’s Bill is looking to make it a smoother process that enhances...
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Iwi lead panacea process as Parliament grounds reopen from 2022-03-16T18:55
The community is welcomed back into Parliament's grounds, the next step in the transition back from stinky rubbish tip to a place for picnics, petitions, play and protest.
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More work needed on hate speech, as Parliament marks mosque attacks anniversary from 2022-03-15T18:55
A motion in Parliament to mark the third anniversary of the Christchurch mosque terror attacks found MPs reflecting on how there is still work to do to counter extremism and hate speech.
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Russia Sanctions - an explainer from 2022-03-13T07:35
On Wednesday Parliament unanimously passed a law allowing sanctions in relation to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Here's how it works.
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Avoiding disinformation on law with explanations from 2022-03-10T18:55
When weird claims are made about bills and laws, where can you check the truth if you don’t have a degree in the arcana of legal drafting?
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The law writing speeds: glacier, snail or rocket from 2022-03-08T18:55
Creating new laws takes years, except when it happens at break-neck pace. This week Parliament will consider a Russia Sanctions Bill under urgency. Necessity means it was also written under urgency.
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Sound and vision: hybrid parliament begins amid unrest from 2022-03-06T07:35
This week, not only did MPs have to contend with a riot on their front lawn, they also had to come to grips with a new hybrid parliament in which some members participated by Zoom.
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'This too will pass': MPs give thanks and point a few fingers from 2022-03-04T16:35
Parliament’s precinct is being spring-cleaned and returned to order and the MPs are full of thanks, and a little causative finger pointing.
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Drug driving law not just about illegal substances from 2022-03-02T18:55
Parliament has passed a law to establish a roadside oral fluid testing regime to test for recent drug use, and proposes that drivers who fail two consecutive oral fluid tests would incur an infring...
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Condemnation of Russian invasion of Ukraine kicks off Parliament week from 2022-03-01T18:55
This week in the House began with a motion in support of Ukraine and it will end with a special debate on a bill not even yet introduced. Chris Hipkins explains some of the parliamentary week's hig...
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Parliament comes together to address an injustice from 2022-02-27T07:35
Paige Harris never met her mother. She wasn’t even on her birth certificate. Parliament is passing a law to fix that injustice - just for Paige.
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The Hybrid Chamber: Parliament on Covid from 2022-02-27T07:30
It may sound like something from Hammer House of Horror but The Hybrid Chamber is a plan for Parliament to go semi-virtual when MPs go down with Covid.
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A week of Question Time: costs, cash and a little covid from 2022-02-17T18:55
A week of questions in Parliament: Some opposition go with 'show me the money' and some with 'defend the covid rules'.
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Abortion Safe Areas - a rights balancing act from 2022-02-16T18:55
In the latest from The House, MPs strike a balance in shaping legislation to enable Abortion Safe Areas.
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A Parliament with no MPs from 2022-02-15T18:55
Like ‘a pub with no beer’, a Parliament almost empty of MPs is an odd thought. But it seems likely in the near future.
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False starts and long debates at Parliament from 2022-02-13T07:30
A week of the House included a near miss by Chris Luxon, a lot of debate over a confidence motion and near completion for a bill to ban attempts to 'convert' gender and sexual orientations.
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Firearms prohibition orders take the first step from 2022-02-10T18:55
A Government bill to ban those deemed dangerous from coming anywhere near guns has had a successful first reading in Parliament.
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Cracking on with preventing anti-LBGTQI harm from 2022-02-09T18:55
The main event at Parliament might be a very long set-piece debate, but the bills being debated are all scene stealers.
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Parliament begins year with a pep rally from 2022-02-08T18:55
Parliament's new year has begun in the traditional fashion with a very wide debate that is a multi-party pep rally. And it's no short booster. This one takes 13 hours.
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‘I wish you a wonderful break. You bloody deserve it!’ from 2021-12-19T07:30
Parliament finished its year with a final debate: a chance for a last laugh, a litany of thanks, and a quick punch in the conk. And many wishes for a good break after a hard year.
Sudden outbreaks of accord: Parliament’s final week from 2021-12-15T18:55
Parliament has had it’s final day of debating in a week that has been unusual convivial. Mostly.
Parliament: last orders please from 2021-12-14T18:55
"All over bar the shouting" might refer to many final weeks in Parliament, but this year the MPs still have an ambitious legislative agenda and just two days to get it all done.
Gender self-ID: 'You can change the law' from 2021-12-12T07:30
The media focus at Parliament was on the impact of leadership, but the legislation told a different story – about the impact of the public. That we can each change the law.
Lento, presto, repeat: Louise Upston’s member’s bill from 2021-12-09T18:55
Louise Upston’s been working on a victims rights member’s bill for more than a decade. After a long gestation and a troubled passage this week it suddenly raced to the finish line.
New party leaders, new energy, new everything from 2021-12-08T18:50
Parliament's opposition has shuffled its deck thoroughly and the House has reacted like a school room after a lolly scramble - all sugared up and excited.
3,2,1… finishing up, not winding down from 2021-12-07T18:55
Parliament has reached the penultimate week of its year. You might think it was winding down but the to-do list is still prodigious.
The MPs scrutinising the Covid-19 rules from 2021-12-05T07:30
Some ministers and ministries have special powers to unilaterally make new laws. And a small group of lawyerly MPs have the job of breaking out the microscope and checking they do it right...
Coaching the troops: Parliament's Speaker on improving process from 2021-11-28T07:35
The Speaker is the guardian, champion and referee of parliamentary process, but he also coaches the foot soldiers in the arts of battle - individually or en masse.
Red, green, blue, yellow? Parliament’s Covid traffic lights from 2021-11-25T18:55
Parliament has approved the traffic light system, and so Parliament must also abide by it. The Speaker, Trevor Mallard discusses the complexities for Parliament and how it will be applied....
Speed shows natural divide from 2021-11-24T18:55
By design there is a gulf between parliaments and governments. It is most obvious when government asks Parliament to go faster.
A complicated week: Urgency gives House plans A and B from 2021-11-23T18:55
Most weeks at Parliament are reasonably predictable, this week might need a flow diagram. There's a morning sitting, a members' day and urgency.
Recapping the week in Parliament from 2021-11-21T07:30
The House wraps Parliament's week; asks who really runs the country and outlines the repeal of the three strikes law.
Froth on top, accord below: the different MP modes from 2021-11-18T18:55
MPs sometimes appear intractably opposed, but while they can be combative in public they are often collaborative behind closed doors. This week had a four hour long example.
Three Strikes Repeal from 2021-11-17T18:53
Covid-19 may dominate the news but Parliament does also have other things on its agenda. Quite a few things including a repeal of Three Strikes sentencing law.
Reality check: Cabinet not in charge from 2021-11-16T18:55
A recent protest placard said "The Red Queen Shall Not Reign Supreme". That may have been intended as an insult and a demand but it actually just describes parliamentary democracy.
M?ori Affairs Committee marks its 150th anniversary from 2021-11-14T07:30
The M?ori Affairs Select Committee is 150 years old. The media always love profile pieces on ancient folk having a birthday, so here is one on a particularly elderly committee.
Chewing on bills: committees enjoy gristle from 2021-11-12T14:45
Parliament’s select committees have an endless menu of work, but seem to especially enjoy work that involves extra chewing.
Ayesha Verrall knocks them off from 2021-11-10T18:55
When MPs begin their careers most outline hopeful future achievements. Some very hopeful. Few get to start polishing them off inside a year.
Re-entry of the gladiators from 2021-11-09T20:30
Parliament is back to full strength this week which means extra members’ bills are back on deck as well.
The new guard connecting Parliament to youth from 2021-11-07T07:30
Parliament is not the fusty thing it once was, but perceptions don’t shift easily. Luckily Parliament has a new guard with ideas about how to brush off some of the dustier bits and help it...
A week of patsies, health and housing from 2021-10-31T07:30
A week in Parliament, with a cosy love-in on housing, a duel over health, and a dive into a trove of friendly patsies.
Health reforms: diagnosis and second opinions from 2021-10-28T18:55
Parliament is considering a major health reform. We outline the symptoms, diagnoses and the treatment plans proposed by the different parties.
Diving into Patsy from 2021-10-27T18:55
Patsy questions often get roundly ignored. Today we’re doing the opposite and diving deeper.
MPs tight on cozy housing from 2021-10-26T18:55
On Tuesday the House debated a new plan to enable denser housing. Most MPs were chuffed and chummy on the idea, others saw light between their houses.
Swearing-in a Governor General: a photo essay from 2021-10-24T07:30
A photo essay from the formal swearing-in of our new Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro; and audio of the key speeches from the event.
‘The Realm’ and the Queen’s new stand-in from 2021-10-21T18:55
The House was at the swearing in of the new Govenor General and brings a few fun facts about the event and the role.
Submissions: Advice that causes change from 2021-10-20T18:55
A bill on internet censorship shows why giving advice to Parliament is worth the effort. Select Committees, bills change.
Submission rising: Parliament’s feedback flood from 2021-10-17T07:30
Parliament keeps breaking the records for public feedback. Why are New Zealanders getting involved in Parliament’s nitty gritty?
A week full of bills: what you need to know from 2021-10-03T07:30
After a busy week in Parliament we explain the new laws you need to know about, and the new bills you might want to comment on.
Parliament goes fast, slow, fast from 2021-09-30T18:55
Parliament had a fast-slow-fast week of debating. Phil Smith looks at why the rhythm changes like an oral salsa dance.
When MPs close questions they open options from 2021-09-29T18:45
MPs ask a lot of closed questions during Question Time, but it's not a great way to get the answer you want, or any answer.
Parliament plays catch-up from 2021-09-28T18:55
Parliament lost three weeks of debating time recently. Now the government is clawing back time to get things done, like bills on counter-terrorism, drinking water and a Matariki holiday.
‘Don't be a tero, get the wero’ from 2021-09-26T07:30
Spring has come to Wellington and to Parliament. One is blustery at best, the other is slowly filling with masked MPs.
Support dogs and local body conflicts of interest from 2021-09-23T18:55
The members' bills that flew through Parliament this week, and those that failed; including bills on disability dogs, autonomous sanctions and local body conflicts of interest.
Full throttle House work from 2021-09-22T18:55
After a month without progress on debating bills Parliament returned to the debating chamber this week for some full throttle law-making, making up for lost time.
Hurling your voice in Parliament's chamber from 2021-09-21T18:55
Parliament is back to normal(ish) with MPs flexing their vocal chords, and some comments and misconceptions about the House's microphones.
The safe bet and the cash cache: imprest supply from 2021-09-19T07:30
MPs have been arguing about imprest supply recently. Partly, that argument assumes you don’t understand what it is. You’re about to.
Parliament hails the returning heroes from 2021-09-12T07:30
The House reviews the week in Parliament with praise for paralympians and more than usual unity when the subject is security.
A budget week but covid questions from 2021-09-09T18:55
In a parliamentary week that was all about passing the budget, Question Time did not get the memo - it was all about Covid-19.
Security draws major parties together from 2021-09-08T18:55
When New Zealand faces a security issue the major political parties often co-operate, focusing more on solutions than blame, as this week demonstrates.
Enough debate, show me the money from 2021-09-07T18:55
Parliament is slowly returning to normal. This week the House moves beyond its 'government oversight' function and adds 'approving spending' and 'supplying the actual cash'.
Parliament's tiny house vs its committees from 2021-09-05T07:35
This week Parliament's House held just a tiny remnant of MPs. So where were the rest of them, what were they doing, and who was working harder?
Covid, covid, covid: a week of questions at Parliament from 2021-09-02T18:55
Covid, covid, covid, and especially vaccines: a week of questions in Parliament.
General debate: Bouquets and lumps of brick from 2021-09-01T18:55
Today's General Debate was a potpourri of arguments and approaches, of bouquets and lumps of brick. The House surveys it's tones and themes.
Interesting times in the level 4 House from 2021-08-31T18:55
The House isn’t doing that much this week, mostly ‘General Business’. Both more and less of it than usual; and all of it pointing to interesting times.
Michael Cullen on caucus from 2021-08-29T07:30
A previously unbroadcast interview with Sir Michael Cullen about the party caucus, how it works and his experience of it.
Five TV-sized parliaments set to grill ministers from 2021-08-23T17:55
How do you have a Parliament without a debating chamber? Go small and go virtual. This week five select committees will question ministers on TV.
Business Committee: the power behind the chamber from 2021-08-22T07:30
Collectively the MPs can make Parliament’s rules, but just a few of them can short circuit that and agree together what will happen.
MPs on the Dawn Raids from 2021-08-15T07:30
This week Parliament held a special debate to give MPs a chance to talk about the official apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s. The House has some moments from that debate.
Births, deaths, and genders: a quiet bill goes loud from 2021-08-12T18:55
Four years ago an almost anonymous bill began life in Parliament. This week that quiet bill turned up the volume, went loud and now commands attention.
Week in a day: Parliament’s bonkers Tuesday from 2021-08-11T18:55
What happens if you try to fit a week’s worth of parliament into a single day - a slightly bonkers Tuesday.
All the debates: The week in Parliament from 2021-08-10T18:55
This week in Parliament is set to be a busy one with an almost complete set of the many kinds of debate the House can have.
Conversion practices & debate therapy from 2021-08-08T07:35
We look at the first outing of the conversion therapy ban bill, and whether MPs could need therapy for first reading confusion.
Four fall down, three stand up from 2021-08-05T18:55
This week Parliament banished four member’s bills to dusty oblivion, but like a game of whack-a-mole three more popped up to replace them.
The unmysterious case of the vanishing leaders from 2021-08-04T18:55
Akin to the animals on the way to Noah’s fabled Ark, in Parliament one particular breed of MP always goes two-by-two. They even vanish together.
And on the third day: the pre-life of a law from 2021-08-03T18:55
What happens before parliament debates a new bill, and why does that usually happen at the fag-end of the week?
Louisa & Louise: How to member’s bill from 2021-08-01T07:35
Louisa Wall and Louise Upston discuss how MPs choose, devise, draft, and champion their own member's bills.
Gay law reform: a tactics masterclass from 2021-07-25T07:30
Thirty five years later, Fran Wilde and Trevor Mallard discuss the campaign, strategy and tactics involved in the 1985-86 campaign to legalise gay sex.
Staying alive for the next 40 years? Treasury is planning your future. from 2021-07-18T07:30
How will decisions made about Covid-19, climate change, housing and an ageing population play out 40 years from now? The Treasury is making predictions and wants the public to weigh in.
Auditing responsibilities from 2021-07-11T07:30
Parliament spent a long time this week debating an auditing problem. We give that debate a short audit and hear from MPs on suicide prevention.
The rise of the 13th question from 2021-07-08T18:55
Parliament has seen an unusual increase recently in what is usually a rare event... a 13th question
Comedy stylings and slap-downs: a debating tradition from 2021-07-07T18:55
There is a surprising amount of humour at Parliament, especially in the General Debate and especially as an opening riposte to the previous speaker.
Covid-19, suicide, and late audits before Parliament this week from 2021-07-06T18:55
This week at Parliament: Covid-19 orders, extending time for audits, and a debate on the Zero Suicide Aotearoa report.
The ministerial sprint: how to manage multiple jobs from 2021-07-04T07:30
Most government ministers do four or more different jobs, so Phil Smith asks Chris Hipkins for advice on juggling, sprinting and wearing multiple hats.
Hate speech, three waters reform, and Oranga Tamariki in question time from 2021-07-01T18:55
Questions on hate speech, assault of children in state care, and reform of water services management have been asked of Ministers at Parliament.
Exposure Draft: a public brainstorm on RMA replacement from 2021-06-30T18:55
Unusually, Parliament has sent a draft bill to select committee for public feedback with a general call for ideas on improving consents.
The Firsts and Thirds: this week’s key debates from 2021-06-29T18:55
Every debate is equal but are first and third readings more equal than others? Probably not. We have the firsts and thirds for the week.
How the death of a student changed the law from 2021-06-27T07:30
MPs have debated the findings of an inquiry into student accommodation prompted by the death of a student in 2019. Here’s how they changed the law.
MPs agree: ‘Nice guys finish first’ from 2021-06-24T18:55
The House gets a rare opportunity to discuss something upbeat - cricket; after the 'team of five million' beat 'the team of one billion' (to paraphrase the Deputy PM).
Q&As colonising parliament from 2021-06-23T18:55
Parliament was once wall to wall speeches, recently the Q&A has gaining ground. Quizzes have escaped Question Time and media stand ups and is colonising the traditional debates.
Parliament allows Government a float from 2021-06-22T18:55
Parliament has given the Government a float. Not a raft in the deluge, but cash to be ‘going on with’ while they all continue debating the new budget, which applies from next week.
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Budget 2021: holding the Government to account for its accounts from 2021-06-20T07:30
Ministers have appeared before other MPs to answer questions about Budget 2021 as part of Parliament's financial scrutiny cycle.
Mobility scooter seizure, verdicts of insanity and waka jumping before Parliament from 2021-06-13T07:30
Non-government bills changing laws around mobility device seizures, the wording of verdicts for insane offenders, and waka-jumping MPs have been worked on at Parliament.
Standing by statements at Parliament from 2021-06-10T18:55
Parliament's question times have been littered with a recurring question about whether the Prime Minister stands by their statements.
Bill giving water fluoridation power to Director-General of Health passes second reading from 2021-06-09T18:55
A bill on water fluoridation decisions has passed its second reading at Parliament - more than four years after it was first introduced.
Water fluoridation bill back before Parliament from 2021-06-08T18:55
A bill transferring control of water fluoridation from local councils to the Director General of Health is back before Parliament this week
MPs finish eight hour Budget 2021 debate from 2021-06-06T07:30
Eight hours of debate on Budget 2021 has wrapped up at Parliament with MPs praising and criticising the government's spending plan
Security a recent theme at Parliament from 2021-06-03T18:55
Parliament’s business often develops themes. Recently there’s a been a strong flavour of security with a side of white supremacy threats.
Travel bubbles, travel bans, and Covid-test rules approved by MPs from 2021-06-02T18:55
Covid19 rules on travel bans, travel bubbles, vaccinations, and test kits have been approved by MPs as part of regular scrutiny of Covid-19 orders
Debate Champs at Parliament from 2021-06-01T18:55
Among the many less political things happening at Parliament: this year's NZIER Secondary School Debating Championship, with a very political final.
MPs to finish off 2021 Budget Debate from 2021-06-01T14:00
This week at Parliament is relatively straight forward for MPs who will finish off the Budget Debate and work through a number of bills
Policing political race speech with a posse from 2021-05-30T07:00
Parliament’s Speaker doesn’t want to stifle MPs’ free speech, instead he’s deputising all MPs to call out bigotry when they hear it.
Budget 2021: how it happened from 2021-05-23T07:35
Budget 2021 has been revealed but Parliament is just beginning the process to approve it
Gone by lunchtime - Budget urgency from 2021-05-21T18:55
After a Budget announcement MPs tend to stay on for a long session of urgent Budget-bill debates. This year they wrapped it up pretty fast.
Budget 2021: The numbers may change but the process stays the same from 2021-05-20T18:55
Budget 2021 dominates Parliament with the Government revealing where it plans to spend the country's money over the next financial year but the process to approve it doesn't change
Second drug testing bill passes first reading from 2021-05-19T18:55
The law allowing drug testing at festivals is set to expire in December but MPs are working on a bill to put in a permanent system
Foreign buyers, drug checking, and sick leave from 2021-05-18T18:55
It's budget week at Parliament but there are bills to work through before that takes place on issues like overseas investment, drug testing, and increasing sick leave
One person’s vigil is another’s intimidation from 2021-05-12T18:55
Parliament’s Health Committee is hearing public feedback on the possibility of safe zones to distance abortion protests from clinics. It's a rights-versus-rights debate with a lot of perso...
The last of Budget 2019, non-government bills, and a special immigration debate at Parliament from 2021-05-11T18:55
The last of Budget 2019, bills from non-ministers and a special debate on immigration and border policies will take place at Parliament this week.
Public help makes good bills great law from 2021-05-09T07:30
MPs spend many hours trying to tease out the best way to legislate impossibly complex issues. Thankfully they get help from the experts - you.
Bill to increase sick leave worked on at Parliament from 2021-05-06T18:55
Progress has been made on a bill to increase employer funded sick leave from five to ten days
Parliament: compromising to achieve motion from 2021-05-05T18:55
Parliament agrees Human Rights in China are problematic - after agreeing a compromise to debate them.
The tag-team performance review from 2021-05-04T18:55
Every year Parliament runs a ten hour long tag-team performance review for ministers.
Prepping for Budget 2021 at Parliament from 2021-05-02T07:30
Budget 2021 is due to be announced on 20 May but the priorities that guide the budget decisions have already been published and debated by MPs.
Dear Parliament, Try again, Sincerely, the Courts from 2021-04-25T07:35
You might not have noticed but our constitution suddenly shifted a little six years ago. Parliament is currently figuring out how to adapt to that.
Same-sex adoption, religious freedoms, and child-abuse petitions before Parliament from 2021-04-18T07:30
Calls to force witnesses to child abuse to speak, reforming adoption law for same-sex couples, and better protections for religious freedoms have been made at Parliament
The dark arts of question time from 2021-04-15T18:55
It’s a hard road finding the perfect parliamentary question, but this week had some pointers on tactics.
Parliament 'unwise' to act as judge as urgent debate denied from 2021-04-14T18:55
Parliament has been told acting as judge and jury would be 'unwise' in response to a request for an urgent debate today.
Covid-19 minister to ask for a power top-up from 2021-04-13T18:55
Chris Hipkins outlines the parliamentary week and explains why the same Covid-19 law is being approved by MPs for the third time in little more than a year.
The new bills in town from 2021-04-11T08:35
Parliament got five new bills out of the box for public feedback this week. Bills on sunscreen, solo parent benefits, compulsory treatment, immigration and incorporated societies. Somethin...
Squeezing in sunscreen standards from 2021-04-08T18:55
Parliament adds an extra Member’s Day and squeezes a sunscreen regulation bill out of it.
MPs hold urgent debate on Trans-Tasman travel bubble from 2021-04-07T18:55
MPs have held an urgent debate on the recent announcement of a date for no-quarantine travel between Australia and New Zealand
Ng?ti Hinerangi claims bill and an extra members' day at Parliament from 2021-04-06T20:55
MPs will work on the final stages of the Ng?ti Hinerangi Claims Bill and an an extra day of bills from non-Ministers this week.
Making rules in the name of Covid-19 from 2021-04-04T07:39
New Zealanders have been ordered about by the Government as part of its response to Covid-19 but who makes the rules and is anyone keeping an eye on those with the power?
MPs keep it local in special debate from 2021-03-28T07:30
Roadworks on the way to Wellington Airport, ambulance wait times in Taieri, Waitemat? water quality, and churches in Levin have been highlighted by MPs in a special debate at Parliament.
Committees of light, and of heat from 2021-03-25T18:55
Parliament hears from hundreds of public submitters each week but some stand out a little, like the Mongrel-Mob Kingdom, from Waikato.
Student residential advisors 'not the solution' to all accommodation woes from 2021-03-24T18:55
Student residential advisors to university halls of residence have told a parliamentary committee they need more support but are not the solution to all accommodation problems.
This week at Parliament - tax, first words, local issues from 2021-03-23T18:55
Tax, local issues, and the last group of new MPs giving their maiden statement will take place at Parliament this week.
A miscellany of Parliament from 2021-03-21T07:30
From The House on Sunday, an oddment of events from a week in the House; and a chat about the 2020 Election Inquiry.
Trans-Tasman travel bubble dominates question time from 2021-03-18T18:55
The trans-Tasman travel bubble dominated question time this week with the Opposition pressing the Government for details on dates and entry requirements
Mad about Election 2020? Tell Parliament your thoughts from 2021-03-17T18:55
Concerned about misinformation on cannabis and euthanasia? Are fake social media accounts a threat to democracy? Tell Parliament what you think in a submission on its Election 2020 inquiry...
Getting a budget run-up from 2021-03-16T18:55
Before Parliament can unveil a new budget, it has to tidy away the paperwork from last year’s one. The budget run-up is also a warm down.
Revenge porn, miscarriage bereavement leave, and abortion clinic safe zones tackled at Parliament from 2021-03-14T08:35
MPs tackle bills on revenge porn, miscarriage bereavement leave, abortion clinic safe zones and cannabis in this Parliament's first members' day
'Does she stand by?' - quizzing the Prime Minister from 2021-03-11T19:55
MPs often ask if the Prime Minister stands by all her statements, government policies, and actions knowing the answer will be 'yes', so why do it? asks The House.
Rise of the House of quizzes: questions gain ground in parliament from 2021-03-10T19:55
Parliament has always been about arguments and speeches, but questions have got loose and are roaming free.
Tuesday at Parliament: debating Covid alert level changes from 2021-03-09T19:55
MPs will be able to question the Minister for Covid-19 Response on recent alert level changes and vote on Covid related rules like testing at the border.
Whipping the biggest pack: managing a huge caucus from 2021-03-07T08:30
Labour has an absolute majority in Parliament. That makes some things easier but the whips that manage ‘the team of 65’ have a huge job.
Baptism of fire for new master from 2021-02-27T08:35
Parliament can be like a raucous schoolroom where some boys consider new teachers are fair game. When does a robust contest cross a line into unreasonable behaviour?
MPs pulled up for question time errors from 2021-02-25T19:55
Parliament has many rules about how question time can be run and the Speaker pulled up a few MPs for errors this week
Bid to change M?ori wards bill name to 'screw the scrum' fails from 2021-02-24T19:55
Suggestions to rename a bill on M?ori wards to include the words ‘ignore the public vote’, ‘screw the scrum’ and ‘under-arm delivery’ have been ruled out of order at Parliament.
Parliament finally pulls back the joystick from 2021-02-23T19:55
Parliament has been puttering along in second gear since the election. Now the interruptions and formalities are fading as it nears lift-off.
An urgent debate on Covid-19 from 2021-02-21T09:30
Parliament this week was pretty truncated, days were short and many MPs watched from home. But it did manage something unusual - an urgent debate.
Question time key part of shortened sitting day from 2021-02-18T19:55
Question time was considered an essential part of business this week as fewer MPs sat for shorter hours under changing Covid alert levels at Parliament.
The importance of being critical: The opposition role from 2021-02-17T19:55
Sometimes Parliament’s highlights are the moments it changes the topic. Today those diversions included a defense of attack, and an attack on getting roughy.
Shorter days,fewer MPs and urgency at Parliament under alert level two from 2021-02-16T19:55
Shorter days, fewer MPs, and work on the Covid-19 response are a few of the changes at Parliament as it sits under Covid alert level 2 this week
MPs finish 19 hour debate on speech from the throne from 2021-02-14T08:30
Last year MPs started a long debate on a speech outlining the government's plans for the next parliamentary term and this week they finally finished it off.
Grapeshot across the trenches: the first week of Question Time from 2021-02-11T19:55
Parliament is back and so is Question Time. The first week involved releasing a head of steam by firing a lot of grapeshot.
Submissions on M?ori ward bill open for two days from 2021-02-10T19:55
Submissions are invited on a bill changing laws around the establishment of M?ori wards by councils but they must be in by is 5pm Thursday 11 February.
Back in Parliament's trenches from 2021-02-09T19:55
The summer is waning and MPs are back in the chamber lobbing incendiary verbiage across no-mans land. Yes, Parliament is back in session.