The House

Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.

Hosted by Phil Smith & Louis Collins

On air:

Tuesday - Wednesday at 8.20pm (when Parliament is sitting), Sundays at 7.45am, encore 10.45pm on RNZ National

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Introducing: Politics NZ

Bonus episode
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one feed.
New episode
Sketch-style white line drawing of New Zealand’s Beehive parliamentary building on a dark background, with the words ‘Politics NZ’ in white text above.

From combative words to first words as new MP gives maiden statement

MPs spend hours arguing in the debating chamber at Parliament but on certain occasions they put aside their differences and a new MP's first speech is one of those times.
Mike Davidson makes his maiden statement in Parliament

Redress, apologies, and pardons as MPs work on three Treaty settlement bills

Parliament extended its hours this week to progress three claims settlement bills for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Paoa, and Ngāti Hāua.
Members of Ngāti Pāoa outside Parliament after the iwi's Treaty Settlement passed its third reading.

Regulatory Standards Bill back in the House after a highly engaged public submission period.

While the week in politics began with another chapter in the ongoing tensions within Te Pāti Māori, the House started the parliamentary week by resuming the consideration of the widely followed Regulatory Standards Bill.
Composite of David Seymour and Regulatory Standards Bill

Behind the scenes at the MP’s library

The House chats with three members of the Parliamentary Library. More than just books and periodicals – it’s a research powerhouse.
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House on Sunday: A power debate, Standing Orders tinkering, and a election date?

The House on Sunday reviews the week's special debate on New Zealand’s struggling energy sector; and two signs that herald next election: the Standing Orders Review and... is that an interesting shape in Parliament's 2026 Sitting Calendar?
Entering Parliament House through the main doors, only used for ceremonial occasions

Parliament delivers two heralds of the 2026 election

This week Parliament produced two heralds of the election to come. Crucial work on tweaking Parliament’s rules, and a calendar that may even hint at an actual election date. The first is crucial, the second just fun.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives, David Wilson taking part in Parliament's triennial Standing Orders Review.

A question of intent: Takutai Moana Bill passes third reading

The law relating to how customary marine title is granted in New Zealand will soon change, with the Takutai Moana Bill passing its third and final reading in Parliament this week.
Mana whenua expect to have a say about the impact of seabed mining on the environment and their cultural interests, says the expert panel convener.

It's called Question Time, not Answer Time

Parliament’s Question Time is correctly named. Actual answers can be few and far between.
Christopher Luxon in the House for the Crown apology for abuse in State care.

Moe mai rā, Mr Bolger: MPs Lament the death of the "great helmsman"

Today in Parliament, the usual agenda was put aside as the House dedicated the sitting day to lamenting the death of Jim Bolger. Almost all MPs made a note of his legacy as an advocate for Māori
Prime Minister Jim Bolger announces Winston Peters' dismissal from cabinet, 1991.

MPs hear submissions on Public Service Bill

The Governance and Administration Committee heard from submitters on the Public Service Amendment Bill this week. One such submitter, the Clerk of the House, said select committee scrutiny risks being weakened should a clause remain in the Bill.
David Wilson makes an oral submission to the Governance and Administration Committee on the Public Service Amendment Bill

Sometimes Parliament needs plot summaries

Parliament is always a story of continuing business, but this week plot summaries would have been helpful, to reveal ‘the story so far on Yeas and Nays of our Lives…'
Gerry Brownlee rings bell during Oriini Kaipara's maiden statement.

'A product of Māori resilience': Oriini Kaipara's maiden statement

Parliament's new MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Oriini Kaipara, delivered her maiden speech this week - an event that was overshadowed somewhat by her supporters' celebrations. But what did Parliament's newest MP actually say in her speech before all that?
Oriini Kaipara makes her maiden statement.

MPs hash out the details of abuse in state care legislation

Nearly a year after the Government’s Crown Apology to Survivors of Abuse in State Care, Parliament is close to passing a bill aimed at preventing that harm from happening again
Signs from protestors sit outside Parliament during the apology for abuse in state care

Good MPs make great quiz team members

A good pub quiz team always needs music and sports nerds and a celebrity news addict, but for wide general knowledge a diligent MP might be just the thing, with good reason. MPs cover a boggling array of topics on a daily basis.
Parliament House with question marks

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