Stories by Daniela Maoate-Cox

MPs will work on the final stages of the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Bill and an an extra day of bills from non-Ministers this week. Video, Audio

New Zealanders have been ordered about by the Government as part of its response to Covid-19 but who makes the rules and is anyone keeping an eye on those with the power?  Audio

Roadworks on the way to Wellington Airport, ambulance wait times in Taieri, Waitematā water quality, and churches in Levin have been highlighted by MPs in a special debate at Parliament. Video, Audio

Student residential advisors to university halls of residence have told a parliamentary committee they need more support but are not the solution to all accommodation problems. Audio

Tax, local issues, and the last group of new MPs giving their maiden statement will take place at Parliament this week.  Audio

The trans-Tasman travel bubble dominated question time this week with the Opposition pressing the Government for details on dates and entry requirements Audio

Parliament is calling for submissions on Election 2020 and the referendums on cannabis and euthanasia Audio

Concerned about misinformation on cannabis and euthanasia? Are fake social media accounts a threat to democracy? Tell Parliament what you think in a submission on its Election 2020 inquiry. Audio

MPs tackle bills on revenge porn, miscarriage bereavement leave, abortion clinic safe zones and cannabis in this Parliament's first members' day  Audio

MPs often ask if the Prime Minister stands by all her statements, government policies, and actions knowing the answer will be 'yes', so why do it? asks The House. Audio

MPs will be able to question the Minister for Covid-19 Response on recent alert level changes and vote on Covid related rules like testing at the border. Audio

Parliament has many rules about how question time can be run and the Speaker pulled up a few MPs for errors this week Audio

Suggestions to rename a bill on Māori wards to include the words ‘ignore the public vote’, ‘screw the scrum’ and ‘under-arm delivery’ have been ruled out of order at Parliament. Audio

Question time was considered an essential part of business this week as fewer MPs sat for shorter hours under changing Covid alert levels at Parliament. Video, Audio

Shorter days, fewer MPs, and work on the Covid-19 response are a few of the changes at Parliament as it sits under Covid alert level 2 this week Audio

Last year MPs started a long debate on a speech outlining the government's plans for the next parliamentary term and this week they finally finished it off.  Audio

Submissions are invited on a bill changing laws around the establishment of Māori wards by councils but they must be in by is 5pm Thursday 11 February. Audio

New MPs are declaring what they'll focus on during their time at Parliament including housing, living wages, firearms law, and poverty.  Audio

MPs have raced through four bills in their first proper week of Parliament passing new laws on festival drug testing, Covid-19, and income tax.  Audio

Drug testing at festivals, a new tax bracket, more sick leave, and a quicker change in Covid-19 alert levels will be worked on at Parliament under urgency this week.  Audio

The latest from the HouseThe 53rd Parliament of New Zealand has been officially opened over two days of ceremonies in Wellington. Here’s how it happened. Audio

A variety of texts including a book of children’s Māori proverbs, the Koran, and the Bill of Rights Act are being used by MPs swearing-in on day one of the 53rd Parliament.  Audio

One of the final question times for the 52nd Parliament has been used to question the Government's Covid-19 messaging Video, Audio

The House continues to question the Government on its Covid-19 response through three different parliamentary features including question time, ministerial statements, and the general debate. Audio

Parliament’s only function is to make laws but MPs meeting this week are focusing on Government accountability instead Audio