The House
Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.
Hosted by Phil Smith & Louis Collins
On air:
Tuesday - Wednesday at 8.20pm (when Parliament is sitting), Sundays at 7.45am, encore 10.45pm on RNZ National
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MPs are working on 13 bills under Urgency this week but numerous amendments and drawn out voting sessions threaten to slow the process down.
MPs debate the details under urgency
MPs are working on passing bills through various stages under urgency this week with one of those stages involving putting legislation under the microscope
13 bills get urgency treatment in penultimate sitting block of 2025
In the last week of the penultimate sitting block of the year, the House was moved into urgency for the progression of 13 government bills.
Loophole results in 11 day submission period for fast track amendments
A loophole in parliamentary rules has avoided a debate, shortened a committee report back time, and resulted in 11 days for the public to have their say on proposed fast track amendments.
Government completes four bills in a week of political sideshows
Amidst political distractions Parliament continued to consider legislation, with four government bills completing their legislative journeys this week. Two enjoyed relative consensus across the House. The other two not so much.
The House: Parliament reacts to the Jevon McSkimming scandal
Question time was pushed back on Wednesday this week so that the House could address the report of the Independent Police Conduct Authority
Question time directs rare question to non-Ministerial MP
Question time is usually all about Ministers but today had an extra question directed at an MP outside the executive.
Introducing: Politics NZ
Bonus episode
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one feed.
From combative words to first words as new MP gives maiden statement
MPs spend hours arguing in the debating chamber at Parliament but on certain occasions they put aside their differences and a new MP's first speech is one of those times.
A former PM weighs in on Parliament's rules
This week, the Standing Orders committee who are doing their triennial review of Parliament's rules heard from a former PM
Redress, apologies, and pardons as MPs work on three Treaty settlement bills
Parliament extended its hours this week to progress three claims settlement bills for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Paoa, and Ngāti Hāua.
Regulatory Standards Bill back in the House after a highly engaged public submission period.
While the week in politics began with another chapter in the ongoing tensions within Te Pāti Māori, the House started the parliamentary week by resuming the consideration of the widely followed Regulatory Standards Bill.
Behind the scenes at the MP’s library
The House chats with three members of the Parliamentary Library. More than just books and periodicals – it’s a research powerhouse.
House on Sunday: A power debate, Standing Orders tinkering, and a election date?
The House on Sunday reviews the week's special debate on New Zealand’s struggling energy sector; and two signs that herald next election: the Standing Orders Review and... is that an interesting shape in Parliament's 2026 Sitting Calendar?
Parliament delivers two heralds of the 2026 election
This week Parliament produced two heralds of the election to come. Crucial work on tweaking Parliament’s rules, and a calendar that may even hint at an actual election date. The first is crucial, the second just fun.
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