Parliament
Parliament's final six busy days
It is the second to last sitting week for Parliament but there is still a mountain of bills to get finalised before the MPs wearily trudge home. Audio
'Stay grounded and connected to the community' - Aupito William Sio
The Labour MP for Māngere, Aupito William Sio is leaving Parliament after a sixteen year-stint which encompassed nine years in Opposition bookended by spells in Government. Audio
So many bills, so little time
Parliament has just days left before it ends for the election. The closer dissolution gets, the harder the MPs are pushing to fit everything in - almost like they're cramming four years of legislating… Audio
Valedictories: Tell us what you really think
Valedictory speech season has begun, and if there’s a common theme cropping up already, it’s a plea for a less toxic style of politics in Parliament. Audio
Final sitting block underway, urgency planned
This week is the first of the last three weeks in the 53rd Parliament, a busy time as the Government still has a lot that it wants to finish before the House rises. Audio
Soft parliamentary diplomacy for more women MPs in the Pacific
The majority of all female elected representatives across the Pacific Islands region visited Wellington for a development event, showcasing the merits of soft diplomacy, Parliament-style. Audio
Bill looks to address Dawn Raids-linked injustice
A new Member's Bill looks to fix a 40-year-old outcome of the anti-Pacific racism of the Dawn Raids era, restoring the right to New Zealand citizenship for a generation of Samoan people. Audio
National security briefing: prepare for the unpredictable
The Intelligence and Security Committee has received a briefing on long-term national security threats which has incorporated a public survey and public consultation which found New Zealanders… Audio
Special debate to focus on Covid regulations
We're reminded of the important role of the Regulations Review Committee as Parliament this week holds a special debate about the committee's report on Covid-19 regulations. Audio
Todd Muller, the human factor
Todd Muller is leaving Parliament. Known for a brief stint as Opposition leader, he also won plaudits for his bipartisanship and advocating for awareness about mental health. Audio
Te Kāhui Mōuri lights up Parliament's face
Visitors entering the main entrance to Parliament can finally notice some visual signs of Māori culture and physical recognition of mana whenua. Audio
The House drops into first gear on RMA
This week the Government added a morning sitting of the House to ‘get stuck into’ completing debate on RMA reform. The Opposition just aimed for ‘stuck’. Audio
Election Energy inside Parliament
As MPs count down to the election Parliament’s mood changes. The Opposition’s House leader Michael Woodhouse predicts “more anger, frivolity, perhaps less discipline”. “Perhaps” seems generous. Audio