The House

Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.

Hosted by Phil Smith and Louis Collins

On air:

Tuesday - Wednesday at 8.20pm (when Parliament is sitting), Sundays at 7.45am, encore 10.45pm on RNZ National

Podcast Title 'The House' set in a bold font on an outside wall, with a image of the parliament house seen through a window

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DEI and Employment Relations: The week's contentious bills

Two bills made strong progress this week against fierce opposition. They aim to end diversity hiring in the public service, and "rebalance" employment relations. The House considers the bills and lopsided debating.
New episode
Employment Relations Authority

Employment relations and full speed, one-sided debates

In Parliament's first proper week back the government was still high-speed legislating with an extra sitting. Among the bills was one to "rebalance" employee/employer rights. The debate was quite one-sided.
Brooke van Velden

Public Service Amendment Bill reignites DEI debate in the House

The Public Service Amendment Bill is back in the House from Select Committee, and has reignited debate on the culture war flashpoint of DEI.
A night view of the Beehive, with interior lights on. The New Zealand flag is flying atop the building against a dark blue sky, framed by silhouetted tree branches.

Question Time - the election year edition

The election is still 270 sleeps away, but inside Parliament the hustings are assembled. Question Time's usefulness diminishes but jibes and insults flourish.
Christopher Luxon delivers the 2026 Prime Minister's Statement.

Inside the Chief of Staff role: The House chats with Kevin Hague

The House sits down with Kevin Hague to unpack what the Chief of Staff role really involves, what it’s like for the former MP to be back in the parliamentary world.
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"I just wanted to leave quietly." Former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe farewells Parliament

Former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe is calling it quits after a decade in Parliament. Despite wanting to leave quietly, he reluctantly gave his final address to the House on Wednesday this week.
Former Speaker and Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe gives his valedictory speech to MPs in Parliament.

Parliament’s first week a warm-up to the election

Parliament’s first week was the 2026 election campaign writ small, from departing MPs to the 13-hour long debate over whether the Government should stay in office. The House attempts haruspicy on innards from the party leaders' speeches.
Christopher Luxon delivers the 2026 Prime Minister's Statement.

Parliament begins the year in lament, before debate

Before launching into the bellicose set piece that is the debate on the Prime Minister's statement, the Parliamentary year began on a more somber note with MPs paying acknowledging recent weather events.
The Mount Maunganui cordon on Monday morning 26/01/26.

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