Parliament
Talking the talk: how MPs' backgrounds inform debating style
The House takes a look at how the backgrounds of three MPs informs the way they speak in Parliament. Audio
Violent end to Parliament protest remembered a year on
A year ago today the 23 day occupation of Parliament by anti-mandate protestors came to its shocking and violent end.
RNZ video journalist Angus Dreaver captured the dramatic moments for Checkpoint… Video, Audio
Democracy on the cheap: Skint Parliament to turn off the radio
After years of trimming budgets and doing things on-the-cheap to make ends meet Parliament’s secretariat has hit the budget wall and plans to end radio broadcasts. It’s a symptom of MP's fear of… Audio
Urgency used to pass Bill fixing 501 deportees loophole
Legislation has been passed under urgency to ensure all people returning to the country after being in prison systems abroad continue to come under parole-like oversight and support back in New… Audio
Entrenchment use under the grill in Standing Orders review
The use of entrenchment in law-making in this country has had a sound grilling at the Standing Orders Committee which is conducting its ongoing regular review of Parliament’s rules. Audio
Cyclone devastation and climate dominate PM's Statement debate
Today the debating chamber launched into action as it does most years - but this year was all about the weather and the climate. Audio
Parliament gets cracking proper with PM's Statement and disaster bills
After a week of business in the House was lost due to Cyclone Gabrielle, Parliament’s sitting year properly gets underway today with Debate on the Prime Minister’s Statement. Audio
Short, cyclone-hit week starts Parliament 2023
After a two-month break, Parliament resumed only to soon adjourn for the week as Cyclone Gabrielle complicated plans for the first sitting week in 2023. Audio
A year of disruption: Parliament's 2022 in review
The last episode of The House for this year is an opportunity to look back at some of the goings-on in Parliament that we covered in 2022. Audio
The first guest on the floor
It's been an unusual day at Parliament. President Zelensky became the first national leader to address the House, and then MPs travelled in time. At least on paper. Audio
Parliament’s week includes new bills and an historic speech
It is Parliament’s final week but there are still bills sitting under the tree for MPs to debate, and some history to make with a Ukrainian President. Audio
Six Labour Ministers and MPs to retire next year
Three Labour Ministers and three MPs are to leave parliament at the next election. The Prime Minister made the announcement a short time ago. RNZ's Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch has the… Audio
Go high: Parliament takes its roof solar
MPs often talk green, but Parliament is lowering its carbon footprint with hundreds of surreptitious solar panels; and providing a much wanted excuse to climb onto the roof. Audio
Focus on three Government bills in penultimate week
Parliament’s year is rapidly nearing an end, and the Government has this week been focused on completion of three fairly major pieces of legislation. Audio
Parliament cancels a reservation: explaining 'entrenchment'
Parliament began its final sitting block of the year this week by cancelling a reservation it made two weeks ago. No, it wasn’t for a Christmas function. It was confusing, but we can help with that. Audio
Demystifying Parliament: MPs open up in Westport
Five MPs travelled to Westport as part of a Parliamentary Outreach Programme aimed at connecting New Zealanders throughout the country with Parliament and its processes. Audio
The problem with entrenching party policy
Could entrenching part of the Three Waters legislation set a dangerous precedent? Audio
Submitting to Parliament (but in a good way)
Parliament Journalist Phil Smith has a crack at making a submission to MPs. Here is why you should bother, how you do it, how you really shouldn't, and how his went. Audio