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

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

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

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 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.

The new Parliament has spent most of its existence under urgency. What is that, and why use it?  Audio

The new Parliament has spent much of its time so far, debating under urgency. What is that, and why has it? Audio

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

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee has been holding its annual review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Audio

Parliament has paused out of respect for the Green Party MP Efeso Collins who died unexpectedly in Auckland this morning. Audio

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

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

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

The Water Services Acts Repeal Bill has passed through all stages while Parliament went into urgency. Audio

An unusually long sitting block begins today at Parliament, beginning with another repeal of law passed by the previous government. Audio

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

Live-streaming of public select committee hearings is now being hosted on Parliament’s own website instead of on Facebook. Audio

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.

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