Russell Palmer

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Opposition leader Chris Luxon have launched stinging attacks on their opponents in their opening speeches to Parliament this year. Video

The government announced the new ministry in October, promising a single point of contact for disabled people and others in the sector.

Families Package benefits go to more than half of families with children, but housing costs and Covid-19 income disruption have eroded some of the gains, a government report shows.

Here's 12 up-and-coming bits of legislation you may have missed thanks to the hustle and bustle of Covid-19 last year.

It was the year of the vaccine, it was the year of the anti-vaxxer: 2021 has been quite a ride of politics and protests.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says her dealings with the sector over Three Waters were in good faith, and she denies a decision to mandate the reforms had already been made. Video

It will still be "flyer beware" for people hoping to travel overseas from January as the border begins reopening, the Covid-19 Response Minister says.

The government kept councils guessing for months about whether they would be forced into three waters reforms, despite having already agreed to pursue such a strategy, papers show.

The legislation setting up the government's three waters entities has been delayed to give the working group time to recommend changes to governance and accountability.

New world-first laws will ensure young people will never legally purchase cigarettes, with the age of a ban on sales rising each year, the minister says.

Other changes to the Covid-19 plan affected the advice on the Auckland boundary decision, the prime minister and Covid-19 response minister say.

The decision to keep Auckland's boundary closed for two weeks after the traffic light system began was not justified from a public health perspective, Ashley Bloomfield has told a select committee.

Christopher Luxon made his Parliamentary debut as Opposition leader this afternoon, going head-to-head with PM Jacinda Ardern in the debating chamber for the first time. Video

National's former treaty negotiations minister has confidence new leader Chris Luxon can build a strong relationship with Māori, but warns him not to be waylaid by cliches like 'one law for all'. Audio

National's new deputy leader Nicola Willis says she brings a centrist, moderate perspective of a parent of four, along with a familiarity with Parliament that balances out the new leader.

Analysis - Christopher Luxon is considered both an unknown quantity and something of a messiah for the National Party.

Colourful and controversial, with a killer eyebrow raise - she may be best known as "Crusher" but Judith Collins' nearly 20 years in politics cannot be summed up so succinctly. Audio

Covid-19 antiviral pills show promise, but experts warn they are unlikely to be available to help as the virus spreads through traffic-light New Zealand.

Government excuses over the rushed process for the traffic lights law do not stack up, but there will be a chance to scrutinise health orders made under it, experts say. Audio

The government's decision to delay home isolation for New Zealanders in Australia until after Christmas is ripping families apart, opposition parties say.

Minister Poto Williams says a case in Whangārei is now before the justice system - and while evictions remain a 'last resort', the government will not accept adding to homelessness.

As the Green and Māori parties urge the government to slow the Auckland boundary opening and the move to traffic lights, National and ACT say it's already too slow.

The government has offered assurances that police will be ready and able to help businesses enforce vaccine pass use, saying officers "know what's coming".

MPs are getting more access to home security, and ideas for further protections for them will go before all parties and the Speaker at the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Labour's chief whip Kieran McAnulty is talking with Parliamentary Security about options for increasing security for MPs, after a confrontation with an anti-vaxxer led to him receiving death threats.