Parliament
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
Select Committee live-streaming moves off Facebook
Live-streaming of public select committee hearings is now being hosted on Parliament’s own website instead of on Facebook. Audio
Harder than it looks: Welcome to the ministry Ms Costello
Being a government minister is harder than it looks. Parliament is a tough master of its governments. This week a clutch of ministers made mea culpas, and one is learning fast just how hard it can be.
…Legislative year begins with ending Productivity Commission
The first piece of legislation Parliament is looking at in 2024 disestablishes a Crown entity that MPs all agreed has been doing great work. But they don't all agree that it should go. Audio
New Year, newish Parliament, new MPs
Leader of the House, Chris Bishop, outlines the week to come in Parliament. A week with 19 maidens and just two bills. Audio
Parliament 2023, year of the shake-up
The House offers a selection of some of the highs and lows, and behind the scenes chats, from a year of great change at Parliament. Audio
Quick bills, long weeks at Parliament
When governments change, the new bunch typically want to quickly make a mark. The first weeks have been long weeks, all about marking fast marks. Audio
Digging in: Parliament's grind towards year's end
There’s a look in the eyes of many people who work on precinct that tells you they just want this parliamentary year to finish already, but it’s not quite done yet. Audio
Parliament's Speaker has outlined his approach to Question Time
The Speaker's role and approach are crucial to Parliament's good functioning. Gerry Brownlee has outlined to MPs what approach he will take in enforcing Parliament's rules regarding Question Time. Audio
Early stanzas: getting a feel for the new Parliament
It's early in the 54th Parliament and things are dynamic, with many MPs either still finding their feet or feeling out the others to see how they roll. Audio
Crash learning: MPs adjust to new roles
Parliament’s in urgency in this hectic, penultimate week before Christmas, and most MPs are undergoing a kind of crash course of learning and adjustment. Audio
Question Time answers become optional
Parliament is discovering how the Speaker will interpret its rules. Today's contention was can he force good answers from ministers, or indeed, any answers. Audio
Parliament: A change of ends and a new referee
A new Parliament, a new Prime Minister, a new Speaker. There was a lot going on at Parliament in the first week of its 54th incarnation. Audio
Tone set for next three years as MPs clash in Parliament
MPs have clashed for the first time since the election in a fiery debate that'll set the tone for the next three years.
Party leaders argued over race relations, conspiracies and Labour's election… Audio
Swearing like a Parliament : Photo Essay
Before MPs can fight they must first swear. Swearing is the main business of Parliament's first day, other than choosing themselves a judge and protector - the Speaker.
Pomp and ceremony gets Parliament underway
Parliament business got underway after the State Opening of the 54th Parliament, a ceremony of pomp and pageantry culminating in the Speech from the Throne. Audio
Chris Luxon and Hipkins exchange vicious blows in parliament
Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins re-entered the Parliamentary ring this afternoon, exchanging vicious blows in the first debate of this term. It followed the pomp and pageantry of this morning's… Audio
Parliament's new Speaker hints at free flow style
The new Speaker Gerry Brownlee has offered a heads-up about how he'll run Parliament, with Standing Orders to be a mere guide rather than a strict line to follow. Audio