Parliament
No matter what, any petition to parliament gets heard
The specialist Petitions Committee has processed a record number of petitions and it's only half way through the term. It hears petitions on almost anything. Audio
Comings and goings: A week in the House
This week in Parliament features a continuation of debate on major health reform, as well as the coming of a new MP and the departure of a high profile MP who has brought the curtain down on his… Audio
Dunne rebukes Mallard over trespass of Peters from Parliament
Speaker Trevor Mallard has been told to consult other parties over his decision to trespass Winston Peters from the grounds of Parliament for two years.
The former Deputy PM is one of several people… Video, Audio
Select committees by Zoom, the great leveller
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 to… Audio
Police: The unenviable portfolio
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. Audio
It’s the putting right that counts, or something like that
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. Audio
Urgency called for as parliament committee works on pay gaps
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 and… Audio
Scrutiny of appropriations and appropriating for scrutiny
The latest from the House Audio
Duelling quotes and holiday stars
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. Audio
Journey of learning: Matariki Holiday becomes law
Debate on the Te Kāhui Matariki Public Holiday Bill found everyone in agreement that the start of the Māori lunar calendar should be marked, but not everyone agreeing a new public holiday should go… Audio
The vanishing fallacy: The tactics of Question Time
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. Audio
Back to font: Parliament as the source of cash and power
This week's reduction for Road User Charges shows Parliament is always the source of power and of cash. Audio
Managing MPs - the ‘staff’ you can’t fire
Parliament’s Speaker is on a mission to stop workplace bullying and improve behaviour, even that of the ‘staff’ who can’t be fired. Audio
Parliament’s second spring: a public return
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. Audio
Decoding the names of bills
A bill by any other name (would be utterly confusing). We decode the naming rules for Parliament’s bills and laws. Audio
Bill seeks streamlined path through surrogacy process
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… Audio
Dating Parliament’s Speaker, and the ‘chair of doom’
The unintended consequences of one MP's early retirement with a bad day for the MP, who in the subsequent reshuffle, is allocated the debating chamber's 'Chair of Doom'. Audio
The House For Thurs 17 March 2022
MP departures can have unexpected flow-on effects... Audio