Rnz: The House

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Are Parliament’s colonial underpinnings out of date?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

Last week the Speaker made a series of new rulings and interpretations on the fly in punishing an MP who dared governing party MPs to demonstrate some spine regarding Israel and Gaza. We survey and analyse the incident and aftermath. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week in Parliament, a brouhaha about unparliamentary language, an eviction from the House, and apologies, or rather a lack thereof, stole the spotlight – but what bills went through? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Wednesday, the Governance and Administration committee were joined by two officials from the Office of the Auditor-General to hear about the long term plans of Local Government. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

National avoided taking a stand on Palestine in Parliament’s urgent debate. What can we learn from the Prime Minister’s answers on Palestine and Gaza during Question Time?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One of Parliament’s quiet, powerful committees is opposition-led and cross-partisan. A new law from ACT may undermine that, ceding parliamentary oversight to the Executive. We chat with the leaders of the Regulations Review Committee: Arena Williams and Nancy Lu. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Sunday edition of The House includes one fresh story, and a replay from Thursday. The new story covers the first debate on the bill to change the electoral law – including the requirement to enrol to vote earlier. The replay from Thursday's House looks at Private and Local Bills.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The big laws debated by Parliament get a lot of attention, but others are so small as to be barely noticed. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After the rare occurrence of a recommittal, the Crown Minerals Bill found itself back in committee where the Opposition tried their best to extract answers from the Minister. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details