Parliament
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
Chris Bishop: On keeping a tidy parliament
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. 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
Directing traffic in a bear pit: presiding over Question Time
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. 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
This week in Parliament
Parliament has another busy week planned this week. Another week spent almost entirely under the rules of urgency, but with some bills heading to select committee.
Parliament: Why so much urgency?
The new Parliament has spent most of its existence under urgency. What is that, and why use it? Audio
Full steam ahead
The new Parliament has spent much of its time so far, debating under urgency. What is that, and why has 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
Is Casey Costello facing a privilege complaint?
Wise MPs apologise hard and early, but Casey Costello's correction may be late. The Speaker appears to have revealed he is considering a complaint over a matter of privilege. 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
News media's existential crisis comes to select committee
A select committee is considering views on a bill that seeks a more level playing field in the digital market that our media industry operates in, where tech giants dominate. Audio
Water reforms down the drain after repeal bill
The Water Services Acts Repeal Bill has passed through all stages while Parliament went into urgency. Audio
Marathon sitting block underway with more repeals
An unusually long sitting block begins today at Parliament, beginning with another repeal of law passed by the previous government. Audio
Parliament's new bible
Parliament's Clerk has just published a new edition of Parliament's own bible, a vast and fascinating compendium of our democracy - Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand. Audio