Stories by Johnny Blades

This week in Parliament, a Member's Bill is duelling with a Government Bill to enable easier transferral between the Māori and general electoral rolls.

Whether cross-party or inter-parliament collectives, MP groups are all about human connections which help MPs, and importantly us, find out what makes them tick.

Soraya Peke-Mason's arrival as MP means an historic achievement of gender equity in New Zealand’s Parliament, while heralding another chapter in the political history of Rātana.

After consuming much of Parliament's energy last week, the Fair Pay Agreements Bill looks set to do so again this week as its committee stage continues.

As this week of Parliament was getting underway, just after the prayers, the House heard a rare message from the Governor-General.

What do Nicole McKee, Joseph Mooney, Teanau Tuiono and Sarah Pallett have in common? They’re first term MPs who have shared their experiences with us.

Trust in media, or lack thereof, was front and centre as the Minister of Broadcasting had a week of being grilled in parliament's Question Time about the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill.

MPs have been reflecting on the Queen's death again, with the passage of a bill under urgency to create a one-off public holiday for her. But not all the reflections were misty-eyed.

Debate on several Member's Bills this week is set to offer a mix of the contentious and the agreeable.

The revitalisation of te reo Māori was abundantly evident as a big crowd converged on Parliament to mark 50 years since the Māori Language Petition.

Parliament TV offers the public the chance to catch all sittings of Parliament and more besides. 

Press Gallery journalists are in their element after the regular bridge run returned from the Grand Hall to the 1st floor foyer of Parliament House, the place known as 'the tiles'.

Debate during the first reading of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill offered insights into the lives of at least two MPs and the marketing mindset of another pair.

It’s six months since the occupation of Parliament's grounds for three weeks, but the human cost is only now becoming clear.

Previous experience as a Minister of Conservation and Land Information was instructive in the shaping of Eugenie Sage's Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill.

A new Speaker of Parliament was elected with widespread support today, with his authority tested early by an awkward speech from a rebel MP.

Two bills related to crime and high risk offenders have passed a third reading, doubling the opportunity for Opposition MPs to label the Government ”soft on crime”.

The House hears from two Hansard editors about the unique work of the team whose reports become part of Parliament's official record and can be seen by anyone.

In his maiden speech the newly sworn-in MP for Tauranga warns of a malaise in the country, and urges the nation to 'get busy winning'.

Parliament at night is a different vibe to Parliament during the day. Staff numbers on precinct have mostly thinned out, but it's a time when the weird and wonderful can happen.

The latest from the House

Last week Parliament was taken over by the new leaders Youth Parliament - an opportunity for rangatahi to speak and the rest of us to pay attention.

There are various parts of Parliament that could be deemed crucial to the functioning of the place, but perhaps none quite so much as the House Office.

For the students of parliament, public law or politics, the best place to be right in the heart of the legislative chamber, but kind of invisible. In other words, part of the Chamber Operations team.

The Governance and Administration committee has been hearing from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet about what progress has been made on the Christchurch Call.