Johnny Blades
How MPs cope with strains of the job
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? Audio
Member's Day surprises and more in short sitting block
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. Audio
The well-worn path between Auditor-General and Parliament
The work of the Auditor-General’s office features often in this week’s select committee hearings at Parliament, and for good reason. Audio
How petitions get Parliament's attention
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. Audio
Taking MPs at their word, or not
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. Audio
Making the cut: two of Parliament's thresholds
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. Audio
Auditor-General's youth mental health report before committee
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. Audio
Touch and go: list MPs on the cusp
Due to vagaries of the MMP system, some list MPs must endure a period of waiting and uncertainty before they can enter Parliament. Audio
Parliament’s future out the back
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. Audio
Long sitting block wraps up, urgency used throughout
A rare four-week sitting block at Parliament has wound up, with the Government’s programme of moving legislation through under urgency used throughout. Audio
Parliament agencies face increased demands and tight funds
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. Audio
Parliament: Why so much urgency?
The new Parliament has spent most of its existence under urgency. What is that, and why use it? Audio
Testy times for presiding officers
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. Audio
Foreign minister seeks larger diplomatic footprint, despite cuts
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee has been holding its annual review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Audio
Parliament pauses out of respect for Efeso Collins
Parliament has paused out of respect for the Green Party MP Efeso Collins who died unexpectedly in Auckland this morning. Audio
Inter-tribal massacre in Papua New Guinea leaves more than 50 dead
A Pacific specialist says an inter-tribal massacre claiming more than 50 lives in Papua New Guinea's Enga province is by no means an isolated incident.
Former-RNZ Pacific senior journalist Johnny… Audio
Water reforms ditched and digital hitches: Parliament week
This weekly wrap of The House looks at the repeal of major water reforms passed in the last Parliament term, and a Select Committee hearing on news media's existential crisis. Audio