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

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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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.
New episode
Catherine Wedd and Rachel Brooking in exchange during Question Time

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.
Parliament's Order Paper for week of 11 November 2025

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
Public Services Minister Judith Collins speaks after a damning report into police conduct, with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell in the background.

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.
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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.
Sketch-style white line drawing of New Zealand’s Beehive parliamentary building on a dark background, with the words ‘Politics NZ’ in white text above.

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.
Mike Davidson makes his maiden statement in Parliament

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
Sir Geoffrey Palmer gives evidence to the Parliament Bill Select Committee.

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.
Members of Ngāti Pāoa outside Parliament after the iwi's Treaty Settlement passed its third reading.

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.
Composite of David Seymour and 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.
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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?
Entering Parliament House through the main doors, only used for ceremonial occasions

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.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives, David Wilson taking part in Parliament's triennial Standing Orders Review.

A question of intent: Takutai Moana Bill passes third reading

The law relating to how customary marine title is granted in New Zealand will soon change, with the Takutai Moana Bill passing its third and final reading in Parliament this week.
Mana whenua expect to have a say about the impact of seabed mining on the environment and their cultural interests, says the expert panel convener.

It's called Question Time, not Answer Time

Parliament’s Question Time is correctly named. Actual answers can be few and far between.
Christopher Luxon in the House for the Crown apology for abuse in State care.

Moe mai rā, Mr Bolger: MPs Lament the death of the "great helmsman"

Today in Parliament, the usual agenda was put aside as the House dedicated the sitting day to lamenting the death of Jim Bolger. Almost all MPs made a note of his legacy as an advocate for Māori
Prime Minister Jim Bolger announces Winston Peters' dismissal from cabinet, 1991.

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