RNZ: The House

Step into the past to picture the early days of Wellington's Parliament and the 1890s Victorian neighbourhood it sat in, with help from historian Elizabeth Cox, author of Mr Ward's Map: Victorian Wellington Street by Street.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What if a group of randomly selected people were put in a room and asked to hammer out national policy? it sounds a bit like a social experiment, but at last month's democracy forum at Parliament, it was sincerely proposed. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House saw a dichotomy of tempos this week, from a heated debate about fisheries one day, to a lighthearted, and at times even funny debate on parody and satire law. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, MPs debated a bill to protect parody and satire, the right to take the mickey under New Zealand's copyright law, something they themselves may well be the target of.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

An Auckland housing plan law passed quickly under urgency, but its committee stage was full of interesting asides.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's a busy week at Parliament, with the House getting urgent on Auckland, and debating alcohol, animals, banter, and badges. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

With politicians' attention very much looking outward amidst talks of a potential escalation in the conflict, or even a fuel crisis reminiscent of the 1970s, Parliament still nonetheless had things to address back home.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Amendments to immigration law would further punish migrant exploitation and also widen the ability to deport migrants for various offences. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A bill moving through Parliament is set to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. This week's second reading offered a case study in careful, and at times awkward, political messaging. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's first debate this week was over New Zealand signing a statement offering “readiness to contribute" in the Strait of Hormuz. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

With an election looming in November, The House sat down with Clerk David Wilson to get a roadmap of what's to be expected between now and then. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week at Parliament we heard a debate all about the future that ended up being mired in the past. We also heard a goodbye speech from one of Parliament's more talented orators. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Peeni Henare left Parliament this week with a final address full of stories and humour. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

New Zealand's long-term economic future may be vitally important, but a debate on the 40 year fiscal future proves fertile ground for short-term politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The final report from the inquiry into New Zealand's Covid-19 pandemic response has been released. With an election approaching, MPs quickly the findings into a political football – defending their record or criticising the former government.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House Sunday Edition combines two stories from Parliament's week. First, advice on convincing a select committee to amend a bill. Then, MPs on better infrastructure planning with less politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House reviews the special debate on the National Infrastructure Plan, when most MPs agreed they ought to remove politics from decisions, and couldn't help but be political. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The integrity of New Zealand's public service was under the microscope at Parliament today as the Governance and Administration select committee heard from the Public Service Commission regarding their long term insight briefing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Select Committees are everyone's best chance to stop the impacts of bad law. We have tips to help maximise your chances, with examples from hearings on the Arms Bill. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MPs Ayesha Verrall and Ricardo Menéndez March outline Parliament's lesser known written version of Question Time, and compare it to its louder, less forthcoming, cousin. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Following the retirement of former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, Parliament has a new MP in, Labour's Georgie Dansey, a former teacher, and unionist based in Hamilton. She delivered her maiden speech on Wednesday this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's newest MP Georgie Dansey gave her maiden statement this week, wasting no time in getting stuck into her role as a member of the opposition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament is considering a law that changes what was legal in the past. Retrospective law-making is allowed, but rare and controversial.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's year begins with a very long debate. We review the event and sample a few of the best speakers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Two bills made strong progress this week against fierce opposition. They aim to end diversity hiring in the public service, and "rebalance" employment relations. The House considers the bills and lopsided debating.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Parliament's first proper week back the government was still high-speed legislating with an extra sitting. Among the bills was one to "rebalance" employee/employer rights. The debate was quite one-sided. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Public Service Amendment Bill is back in the House from Select Committee, and has reignited debate on the culture war flashpoint of DEI. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The election is still 270 sleeps away, but inside Parliament the hustings are assembled. Question Time's usefulness diminishes but jibes and insults flourish.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House sits down with Kevin Hague to unpack what the Chief of Staff role really involves, what it's like for the former MP to be back in the parliamentary world. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe is calling it quits after a decade in Parliament. Despite wanting to leave quietly, he reluctantly gave his final address to the House on Wednesday this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's first week was the 2026 election campaign writ small, from departing MPs to the 13-hour long debate over whether the Government should stay in office. The House attempts haruspicy on innards from the party leaders' speeches.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Before launching into the bellicose set piece that is the debate on the Prime Minister's statement, the Parliamentary year began on a more somber note with MPs paying acknowledging recent weather events. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Every year Parliament ends in a more or less identical way, with the adjournment debate. To prove it, we sift its moments using previous years' descriptors. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Parliament's final sitting day of the year, MPs discussed an issue with the potential to surge in prominence: the quality of life for ageing New Zealanders.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's week began with condolences on the Bondi attack. The six parties' responses were very similar, but their divergences also said a lot.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In its penultimate sitting block of the year, Parliament was in urgency debating 12 bills, The House looks at the two most controversial ones. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's penultimate sitting week began with a major shakeup to the RMA, helped along by urgency. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rather than enjoying a gentle wind-down, Parliament's final full week is packed with last-minute work as the Government tries to complete work and adds ten new bills to MPs' piles for good measure. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's December Scrutiny Week is over. The House looks at the eternal tussle between politics and actual oversight, and the interlocking problems of scale and attention that mean you will miss most of it.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Headlines from scrutiny week honed in on the heated clashes, but behind the scenes the unglamorous work of number-crunching carried on.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's biannual Scrutiny Weeks involve a sudden glut of oversight, but what reaches the public is only a glimpse behind the curtain.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The first week of Parliament's final sitting block of 2025 is solely focused on scrutiny on past Government spending. It began with a back and forth on animal welfare. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details