The House

Legislation on alcohol went to a conscience vote this week, and the result was a reminder how some parties still tend to vote as a group on such issues. Read more Audio

In a busy week of Parliament one of the most crucial things MPs did may have got the least attention. Financial scrutiny is seldom exciting but it is important. Read more Audio

Parliament's week includes a mix of debate on a key police scrutiny role, annual reviews and two bills about booze, as well as the farewell speech from a familiar face. Read more Audio

Despite a week of distractions MPs were working. Hard. Ten bills were finished, and eight brand new bills began their lives, ready for the remaining weeks of this parliamentary term.    Read more Audio

The House visited two MPs with very different job descriptions to see the shape and function of both their offices and their staffing arrangements. Read more

Parliament spent extra hours this week churning through quite a long list of proposed legislation, with ten bills completing their third and final readings. Read more Audio

Question Time gets all the media attention, but it is only the tip of the scrutiny-iceberg. The action is below the waterline - in committee, where most of Parliament’s scrutiny of Government happens.

Parliament can grant powers to certain authorities to make new rules without having to go through the normal lengthy legislative process. Read more Audio

This week Parliament changes gears to kick start a bevy of proposed laws. It’s another sign the election is not far away.  Read more

An increased appetite to learn Te reo Māori among different parts of the Parliament system means the work of the Māori Language Service is in demand more than ever. Read more Audio

Parliament has a charming tendency to gift people with very odd job titles, like Shadow Leader of the House. Michael Woodhouse outlines what the job entails (and it's neither shade nor homes). Read more Audio

This week MPs discussed Stuart Nash’s loss of a ministerial warrant for an hour. It may have looked like a political pile-on, but in reality it was Parliament doing exactly what it is designed for –… Read more Audio