Parliament
The view from the other side: When MPs submit on bills
MPs listen to hundreds of Select Committee submissions. But occasionally, like Camilla Belich today, they get to sit on the other side of the table themselves. Audio
Annual ten-hour long interrogation of government performance begins this week
The Annual Review Debate begins this week, when Parliament quizzes ministers about past performance. Kieran McAnulty explains... Audio
Fish and quiz: The many uses of written parliamentary questions
Over the last six years, parliament’s clerks have had to vet about 40,000 written questions each year. So how are written questions used and what are the democratic benefits? Audio
How MPs cope with strains of the job
MPs have some of the highest pressure jobs in New Zealand, and the stressors aren’t always what you might think. So does anyone help them carry the load, and how do they personally cope? Audio
Member's Day surprises and more in short sitting block
It was a sitting block of just one week but it had its share of surprises, routine stuff and signs of a changing culture around scrutiny at committee level. Audio
The debate James Shaw delayed his retirement for
Members Day this week had it all: surprise votes, big and niche issues, success and failure. A bill from a retiring MP led to an environmental rights debate which included gaping philosophical divides… Audio
The well-worn path between Auditor-General and Parliament
The work of the Auditor-General’s office features often in this week’s select committee hearings at Parliament, and for good reason. Audio
Getting stuck on attack: the slow road to positivity in government
The Speaker has begun steering ministerial answers away from outright attacks on the previous government, and towards answers. The road to positivity for new governments is long and difficult. Audio
How petitions get Parliament's attention
Petitions to Parliament don't always result in a change to law or policy as intended, but they can be an effective way of the public getting a message to those in power. Audio
How to MP: Tips from a ‘great parliamentarian’
As he departs from Parliament, Grant Roberson outlines the skills and requirements for being a successful MP, and what he would replace Question Time with. Video, Audio
Getting specific or aiming wide: The tactics of Question Time
A look at the tactics of primary questions during Question Time, with help from Grant Robertson, Judith Collins and Gerry Brownlee. Audio
Taking MPs at their word, or not
The principle that all MPs are honourable and that they should be taken at their word has been tested multiple times this week in Parliament. Audio
Parliament begins with money bills on a deadline
This week’s sitting of Parliament began with two finance bills that have deadlines attached. Audio
Making the cut: two of Parliament's thresholds
This weekly edition looks at thresholds: regarding what gets the nod for Urgent Debates, and also what it's like being a List MP on the cusp of Parliament. Audio
Auditor-General's youth mental health report before committee
The Health Select Committee has been digesting the Auditor-General’s report on how well public organisations are working to meet the mental health needs of young people. Audio
Oral Questions for 21 March 2024.
HON PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement regarding funding for disability support services, "They have been trying to deal with that, and we… Audio
Waiting weeks for urgent debates
Urgent Debates are granted or denied by Speakers. Most are denied. This week a Speaker's ruling moved the goal posts for that allowance, a lot. Audio