RNZ: The House

A late night voting error during a fourth evening of urgency last week forced the Government to end urgency sooner than expected. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Urgency was the theme of the week at Parliament this week, both in the House and during the ongoing Standing Orders review into Parliament's rules. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MPs are working on 13 bills under Urgency this week but numerous amendments and drawn out voting sessions threaten to slow the process down.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A bill reducing charges for clean vehicle imports has passed through under urgency at Parliament. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MPs are working on passing bills through various stages under urgency this week with one of those stages involving putting legislation under the microscope Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In the last week of the penultimate sitting block of the year, the House was moved into urgency for the progression of 13 government bills. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A loophole in parliamentary rules has avoided a debate, shortened a committee report back time, and resulted in 11 days for the public to have their say on proposed fast track amendments. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Amidst political distractions Parliament continued to consider legislation, with four government bills completing their legislative journeys this week. Two enjoyed relative consensus across the House. The other two not so much. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Question time was pushed back on Wednesday this week so that the House could address the report of the Independent Police Conduct Authority Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Question time is usually all about Ministers but today had an extra question directed at an MP outside the executive.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one feed.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MPs spend hours arguing in the debating chamber at Parliament but on certain occasions they put aside their differences and a new MP's first speech is one of those times. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, the Standing Orders committee who are doing their triennial review of Parliament's rules heard from a former PMGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament extended its hours this week to progress three claims settlement bills for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Paoa, and Ngāti Hāua.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While the week in politics began with another chapter in the ongoing tensions within Te Pāti Māori, the House started the parliamentary week by resuming the consideration of the widely followed Regulatory Standards Bill. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House chats with three members of the Parliamentary Library. More than just books and periodicals – it's a research powerhouse. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House on Sunday reviews the week's special debate on New Zealand's struggling energy sector; and two signs that herald next election: the Standing Orders Review and... is that an interesting shape in Parliament's 2026 Sitting Calendar?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Parliament produced two heralds of the election to come. Crucial work on tweaking Parliament's rules, and a calendar that may even hint at an actual election date. The first is crucial, the second just fun. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The law relating to how customary marine title is granted in New Zealand will soon change, with the Takutai Moana Bill passing its third and final reading in Parliament this week.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's Question Time is correctly named. Actual answers can be few and far between. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Today in Parliament, the usual agenda was put aside as the House dedicated the sitting day to lamenting the death of Jim Bolger. Almost all MPs made a note of his legacy as an advocate for MāoriGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Governance and Administration Committee heard from submitters on the Public Service Amendment Bill this week. One such submitter, the Clerk of the House, said select committee scrutiny risks being weakened should a clause remain in the Bill. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament is always a story of continuing business, but this week plot summaries would have been helpful, to reveal ‘the story so far on Yeas and Nays of our Lives…'Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's new MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara, delivered her maiden speech this week - an event that was overshadowed somewhat by her supporters' celebrations. But what did Parliament's newest MP actually say in her speech before all that?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nearly a year after the Government's Crown Apology to Survivors of Abuse in State Care, Parliament is close to passing a bill aimed at preventing that harm from happening again Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A good pub quiz team always needs music and sports nerds and a celebrity news addict, but for wide general knowledge a diligent MP might be just the thing, with good reason. MPs cover a boggling array of topics on a daily basis.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tuesday at Parliament felt a bit like Groundhog Day as Foreign Minister Winston Peters gave yet another Ministerial Statement on the war in Gaza. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The state has three independent branches. Victoria University Dean of Law, Geoff McLay helps explain the crucial relationship between parliament, government and the courts.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Under the Beehive is the National Crisis Management Centre – an underground command centre where NEMA can coordinate responses to national crises. We take a tour.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament changed New Zealand's adoption laws this week. The bill was revealed at the last minute, and thanks to urgency and unanimous support, it was completed within a day.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's translation team would have been flat out this week as Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori saw an uptick in te reo usage at Question Time Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, the Government introduced an adoption law change at the last minute, which, thanks to urgency, passed all stages in one day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Perhaps the most recognisable part of Parliament is Question Time. But what techniques do MPs from both sides use to game it to their advantage?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week the Government's 2025 budget was finally approved by Parliament. The last major hurdle involved a long walk through a political minefield of questions, and even some answers. We look at the range of approaches, ideal and less so; including a new way to avoid answering questions.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's been over 100 days since Bugdet Day but lo and behold, the government is still in the process of securing Parliament's approval for the planned spending. The delay comes down to Parliament's lengthy financial scrutiny process. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's week is traditionally shaped across three days. That shape is increasingly being squeezed and select committees are being forced into the margins. We consider the factors at play.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Each of New Zealand's 72 electorates is unique, so what's it like to represent the heart of our capital city?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Are Parliament's colonial underpinnings out of date? A former Speaker says Parliament ought to be a reflection of everyone, but isn't, and the mental shift needed would take collective political will. The House chats with Adrian Rurawhe and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi about how Parliament could better reflect Māori tikanga and kawa. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Several significant bills were passed through the House this week, two of them being Opposition bills. Meanwhile, the General Debate proved to be a test of the Speaker's tolerance for accusations of lying. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mendacity is the bane of good debate. In Parliament both lies and claims of lies used to be naughty, but the floodgates may have opened on the latter.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Members' bills can come from any backbench MP. Usually, successful government bills far outnumber opposition bills – but not this parliament. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week's bills are a mixture of unfinished business from last week and a selection of other bills plucked from the Order Paper, and awaiting their respective next stages. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details