The House

On Parliament's last day of the year, there was the rare occurrence of a personal (conscience) vote on selling booze over the Easter weekend. While it didn't have the numbers to pass, it was a chance to get a rare glimpse of the factions within the major parties. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Before the Speaker Gerry Brownlee overturned Barbara Kuriger’s Fast-track ruling, there was a lengthy and fascinating debate in the House. We couldn’t give justice to the constitutional and parliamentary to-and-fro on our show - so here it all is as a podcast extra. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Last week’s fights with the Speaker over the Fast Track schedule may have changed the tone in Parliament. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's final full week was a legislating blitz to complete unfinished legislation, and introduce new bills for the public to chew on over summer. And in this Sunday wrap of the week we also look at one unfortunate select committee, drowning under an unusual preponderance of work. This Sunday show from The House comprises material from the weekday shows from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Go...

In the midst of this week's blitz to complete unfinished work before the summer recess, there was also a clutch of brand new legislation. Something for submitters to improve over the break, including a bill that creates a new offence - stalking. This is the Friday 13th show from The House - an extra programme because Parliament sat beyond its usual week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...

This week, media and public focus on Parliament honed in on the hullabaloo around ferries and speakers rulings. Meanwhile, over 30 hours of urgency were used to consider eleven bills have been going through the House this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In its first year, this parliament has sent 78 new laws to the twelve subject select committees. That should mean they are reviewing six bills each, except the Justice Committee has been sent 26 of them - including many of the most contested. Why? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Last month, twelve Pacific speakers and clerks from around Oceania traded the warm shores of the South Pacific for Wellington in spring. They were here for a week of networking and learning, with doses of casual diplomacy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament was heaving with activity this week, though not with debates, bills, or even any sittings of the House. Instead, the corridors and committee rooms were alive with the hustle and bustle of Scrutiny Week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Whether its about the lack of it, the quality of it, or the cost of it, discussions about housing are omnipresent at Parliament. This week, both Housing Ministers sat down in front of MPs for a session of explain and answer on the topic. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While New Zealand's defence force deals with budget issues, lagging equipment, and the aftermath of the Manawanui, Defence Minister Judith Collins made it clear that NZDF still have the unwavering support of their minister. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Scrutiny Week is underway with annual reviews of government entities with multi-billion dollar budgets. Also underway are political games you would never dare try in your own performance review. Exhibit A is Shane Reti facing Ayesha Verrall in the Health Committee. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

There are just five House sitting days of Parliament left. They will feel like a warm down after what happens prior – five tough days of government scrutiny, with help from Parliament's watchdog. The House chats with Mark Evans and Lyndsey Gibson from the Office of the Auditor General about Scrutiny Week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Green's Benjamin Doyle has joined the 54th Parliament about a third of the way into its term. Their maiden statement wrapped up a huge week for Parliament. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but in the background all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The House speaks to two members of the Samoan Community that came to Parliament to see the Restoring Citizenship Bill pass its final reading.  Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

At Parliament the vast majority of noise and passion was from the hikoi outside the chamber. The crowd so large that vast number likely never managed to get inside the grounds. Despite that, everyone was incredibly patient, friendly and polite. Inside, the debating chamber was never going to quite match the energy - or possibly the politeness. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After a tsunami of coverage out of Parliament last week, The House spoke to Press Gallery Chair Jason Walls about how the Press Gallery works. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Treaty principles bill dominated Parliament's week, despite being the final bill debated. How was it talked about in the House when it was not the topic of a debate; who focussed on it, who ignored it, who was ignored? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Parliament anything and everything can be political, or can be bent to politics. In recent memory, things as apparently innocuous as playground equipment, clothing, colours, or eating takeaways. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Following the Crown Apology for Abuse in State Care, Parliament passed the first reading of the Response to Abuse in Care Bill. Labour and National spoke of casting politics aside for a moment. Greens and Te Pāti Māori weren't so keen on that idea. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, the Parliament Bill committee heard from a 16 year old high school student, and a former prime minister, 65 years his senior. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Atop the Beehive a lone national flag is tortured daily by Wellington’s gales. We join its handlers up on the roof to chat, watching as its fraying edges whip the sky. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament is a mercurial place. Debate can flick from amity to antagony with each shift in topic, especially if that topic is climate change or agriculture, or both. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Today, Parliament begun a new, three-week-long sitting block. If Question Time was the first round warm-up for a new bout - when the boxers are still a little tentative and trying out new things, - it's unlikely to be a quiet lead-up to Christmas. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details