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Recent items from The House
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How MPs cope with strains of the job
7:35 AM.MPs have some of the highest pressure jobs in New Zealand, and the stressors aren’t always what you might think. So does anyone help them carry the load, and how do they personally cope? Read more Audio
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This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions.
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Member's Day surprises and more in short sitting block
7:35 AM.It was a sitting block of just one week but it had its share of surprises, routine stuff and signs of a changing culture around scrutiny at committee level. Read more Audio
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The debate James Shaw delayed his retirement for
10:23 AM.Members Day this week had it all: surprise votes, big and niche issues, success and failure. A bill from a retiring MP led to an environmental rights debate which included gaping philosophical divides… Read more Audio
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The well-worn path between Auditor-General and Parliament
6:55 PM.The work of the Auditor-General’s office features often in this week’s select committee hearings at Parliament, and for good reason. Read more Audio
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Getting stuck on attack: the slow road to positivity in government
5:30 PM.The Speaker has begun steering ministerial answers away from outright attacks on the previous government, and towards answers. The road to positivity for new governments is long and difficult. Read more Audio
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How petitions get Parliament's attention
7:35 AM.Petitions to Parliament don't always result in a change to law or policy as intended, but they can be an effective way of the public getting a message to those in power. Read more Audio
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How to MP: Tips from a ‘great parliamentarian’
7:00 AM.As he departs from Parliament, Grant Roberson outlines the skills and requirements for being a successful MP, and what he would replace Question Time with. Read more Video, Audio
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Getting specific or aiming wide: The tactics of Question Time
3:00 PM.A look at the tactics of primary questions during Question Time, with help from Grant Robertson, Judith Collins and Gerry Brownlee. Read more Audio
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Taking MPs at their word, or not
6:55 PM.The principle that all MPs are honourable and that they should be taken at their word has been tested multiple times this week in Parliament. Read more Audio
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Parliament begins with money bills on a deadline
8:00 PM.This week’s sitting of Parliament began with two finance bills that have deadlines attached. Read more Audio
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Making the cut: two of Parliament's thresholds
7:00 AM.This weekly edition looks at thresholds: regarding what gets the nod for Urgent Debates, and also what it's like being a List MP on the cusp of Parliament. Read more Audio
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Auditor-General's youth mental health report before committee
6:55 PM.The Health Select Committee has been digesting the Auditor-General’s report on how well public organisations are working to meet the mental health needs of young people. Read more Audio
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Waiting weeks for urgent debates
6:55 PM.Urgent Debates are granted or denied by Speakers. Most are denied. This week a Speaker's ruling moved the goal posts for that allowance, a lot. Read more Audio
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Touch and go: list MPs on the cusp
6:35 PM.Due to vagaries of the MMP system, some list MPs must endure a period of waiting and uncertainty before they can enter Parliament. Read more Audio
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Parliament’s future out the back
7:35 AM.A big new wooden superstructure is about to be built out the back of Parliament House, and is planned to be ready to fit dozens of MPs by the next election. Read more Audio
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Chris Bishop: On keeping a tidy parliament
7:00 AM.New goverment, new parliament, new Leader of the House. Chris Bishop is now the Minister responsible for shepherding the Government's legislative agenda. He explains how. Read more Audio
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Long sitting block wraps up, urgency used throughout
6:55 PM.A rare four-week sitting block at Parliament has wound up, with the Government’s programme of moving legislation through under urgency used throughout. Read more Audio
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Directing traffic in a bear pit: presiding over Question Time
6:55 PM.Taming Question Time is not easy but this week the Speaker has attempted to reign in the use of Points of Order to make out of order points. Read more Audio
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Parliament agencies face increased demands and tight funds
6:55 PM.Due to the increasing demands on the work of the Office of the Clerk in an environment of funding constraints, the efficiency of some key Parliament functions could suffer. Read more Audio
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Parliament: Why so much urgency?
7:30 AM.The new Parliament has spent most of its existence under urgency. What is that, and why use it? Read more Audio
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Full steam ahead
7:55 PM.The new Parliament has spent much of its time so far, debating under urgency. What is that, and why has it? Read more Audio
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Testy times for presiding officers
6:55 PM.This morning’s debates in the chamber provided multiple examples of how difficult it can be as a presiding officer when contentious bills are going through under urgency. Read more Audio
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Foreign minister seeks larger diplomatic footprint, despite cuts
6:55 PM.The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee has been holding its annual review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Read more Audio
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Fa’anānā Efeso Collins: In his own words
7:30 AM.Fa’anānā Efeso Collins has been fondly remembered and much praised by his colleagues. Here is his own message; the maiden speech he gave a week ago. Read more Audio