Rnz: The House

This week, MPs got their first chance to debate on a new bill that would extend the three year parliamentary term to four years. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week's legislative agenda began with the first reading of a bill that enables congestion charging in our cities. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Before MPs got down to debating legislation this week, they spent time debating the resignation last week of National Party minister, Andrew Bayly. Responses ranged from nothing-to-see-here to what-aren't-they-telling-us.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Political voices have become very familiar since the beginning of radio, but they haven’t always sounded the same. Listen to 14 former Prime Ministers (and one Speaker) from 1912 to 1990. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While they didn't turn up in an Aston Martin, the heads of New Zealand's spy agencies, the GCSB and the NZSIS came to Parliament this week to give MPs, media, and the public a rare glimpse into New Zealand's intelligence community. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Some debates at Parliament are a bit monochromatic, but not many. In most policy areas the best descriptor is 'it’s complicated'. The problem will be complicated, any worthwhile solutions, complicated; the politics lying between the problem and a solution... complicated. And few things are more complicated than a topic debated this week – criminal justice sentencing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Marama Davidson, after time off for cancer treatment, is back at Parliament and is already busy with her members bill that would require manufacturers to make repair parts and information available to consumers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This Sunday edition of The House includes Tuesday's story about rules on MP misbehaviour (but with extra material – including one rule that seems to very specifically apply), and Thursday's story looking at the now completed debate on the Prime Ministers Statement – which boiled down to being a 13-hour long debate over growth.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

So far this year, Parliament has been dominated by one very long debate on whether the House approves of the Prime Minister's speech outlining his plan for the year. We look at some of its themes and rhetorical stylings.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Wednesday this week, the Health Committee heard from both the Mental Health Minister and members of the public who offered their lived experience of mental health treatment. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On Monday David Seymour mounted Parliament's lower front steps in a vehicle. The Speaker was not impressed. So what are the rules and who can punish an MP or Minister?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament may have been on summer break, but its website was anything but quiet. The House chatted to the person overseeing an unprecedented number of submissions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Parliament did something important and unusual, giving the Taranaki Maunga legal personhood.This episode has audio from the third reading of Taranaki's collective redress bill. For a look at the Bill itself, particularly the history, acknowledgments and apologies within it, read this article. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After a series of speeches acknowledging several notable deaths that occurred over the Summer, Parliament kicked off 2025 by doing what it does best - arguing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Before the normal political welcome, MPs spent time farewelling the fallen, particularly Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and Dame Tariana Turia.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Parliament's adjournment debate is a showcase of vitriol leavened with humour. It is likely the most chaotic, unfocussed, haphazard, and sometimes incoherent political event of the year. We have the lowlights. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details