The House

Labour and National have put aside their usual party divisions this week to reach broad agreement on the issue of online harm faced by young New Zealanders. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Government says it’s cutting conservation red (or rather green) tape. The Opposition say it’s redefining what conservation even means. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When an MP becomes a government minister or changes portfolios, how do they transition to the new role? We ask a recently elevated minister, Chris Penk. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In a historic first, Parliament used a new rule to debate slavery legislation that has wide support in the House, but that government coalition partners don’t agree on. Plus other stories from a week of unlikely allies and surprising foes. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MPs have questioned the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s role in the digital era during a select committee briefing, as the regulator signals a need for reform. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A proposed new law would allow more prisoner segregation, but also mandate basic rights. MPs agree prison should ‘reflect our shared view of humanity’, even for those who ‘deserve the least sympathy’. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament began this week with a question time in which the Government was being pressed by...another member of Government? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

With distracting party politics going on outside the House, MPs were brought back on task by the Speaker on more than one occasion this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's weekly free debate can give a surprising insight into the mood and politics of both MPs and parties. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While political attention was fixed on what was said in Tuesday morning’s National Party caucus, MPs still had parliamentary work to do. And this week, that was mostly the Annual Review Debate. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week’s political intrigue bled into Question Time and illustrated Parliament’s rules about ministerial responsibility and lying or, as Parliament terms it, 'misleading the House'. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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