Outside the debating chamber MPs can collaborate surprisingly well.
One place this happens is select committees which are specialist sub-committees of the House and have a wide array of functions including reviewing legislation, holding inquiries, and considering petitions.
Essentially they are a lot like tiny parliaments and their membership is broadly proportional to party numbers in the House with Government MPs usually the majority.
Thousands of members of the public give evidence to select committees every year where the environment is less confrontational and more collegial.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush is questioned by journalists outside a select committee room following the annual review of New Zealand Police. Photo: RNZ / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The House is produced for RNZ with funding from Parliament.
