The House

Before MPs can fight they must first swear. Swearing is the main business of Parliament's first day, other than choosing themselves a judge and protector - the Speaker.  Read more

Parliament business got underway after the State Opening of the 54th Parliament, a ceremony of pomp and pageantry culminating in the Speech from the Throne. Read more Audio

The new Speaker Gerry Brownlee has offered a heads-up about how he'll run Parliament, with Standing Orders to be a mere guide rather than a strict line to follow. Read more Audio

With a government now formed the 54th Parliament can finally get underway. Twice. Here’s how that happens. Read more

Photos and action from the official signing of the coalition deal between National, ACT and New Zealand First.    Read more

The final thing Parliament did before adjourning was agree rules changes for the next Parliament. We discuss them with senior clerks David Wilson and Gabor Hellyer. Read more Audio

Before Parliament adjourned it agreed new rules for next time. In discussing them MPs gave glimpses into the rules they would like to change and the Parliament they wished existed. Read more Audio

Under new rules for Parliament, any future proposed entrenchment of a law must first be considered by a select committee before being considered by all MPs. Read more

MPs have been debating whether to lower the voting age for local council elections to 16 years of age from the current age of 18. Read more Audio

The last sitting week of the 53rd Parliament has a fairly packed schedule of government business, plus debate on the Standing Orders Committee's regular report, and the Adjournment Debate. Read more Audio

Before you can hold an election, a little polite brutality is required. First you must dissolve the current Parliament. No-one wants two parliaments at once do they?  Read more

If there’s one group who we don’t hear enough about, it’s the photographers who cover Parliament. A new exhibition is casting light on five of these practitioners. We talk to two of them. Read more Audio