Parliament
'A bob each way': Jacqui Dean on Parliament career
As she prepares to retire after 18 years in Parliament, National's Jacqui Dean has a knack for straight talk, and doesn’t mince her words about the work of an MP. Audio
Retiring MPs take stock of Parliament careers
In the first in a series of exit interviews with retiring MPs, The House sits down with Green MP Jan Logie and National’s Jacqui Dean to reflect on their time at Parliament. Audio
The unbridled Question Time
For any of Parliament’s speakers, the daily Question Time is a tricky horse to manage, let alone tame. Every Speaker brings a different approach, the current Speaker is trying riding with no reins at… Audio
Rugby, racing and beer: MPs tackle NZ's holy trinity
MPs have been making laws to enable access to alcohol at race meetings on race days and during those early hours at pubs when rugby's World Cup is broadcast from France. Audio
Testy exchange highlights reach of select committee
A testy exchange in the foreign affairs select committee this week served as a reminder that Parliament’s committees decide for themselves who they should be briefed by and how often. Audio
How the Opposition shares its shots at Government
The Shadow Leader of the House, Michael Woodhouse, talks us through how questions are allocated and who gets to ask them on Question Time. Audio
Disability access a work in progress for parliament
Efforts are underway to make Parliament more accessible for people who live with disability, after a new position of Senior Accessibility Advisor was established. Audio
Budget week goings on, diamonds in the rough
This week was Budget week at Parliament, but instead of boring you with numbers, The House dives into limitations of party leaders' responses in the Budget Debate and what got done under urgency. Audio
I oppose this awful [add details] plan
Budget day is all about the Minister of Finance’s big reveal. But spare a thought for other party leaders who must prepare speeches opposing something they haven't read yet. Audio
Stuff that went down under Budget urgency
It’s the norm following the delivery of the Budget for the House to go into urgency, when government moves through legislation directly related to the Budget and some other stuff too. Audio
Member's Bill: a rough diamond waiting to be shaped
A member’s bill freshly picked from the biscuit tin is like a rough diamond waiting to be shaped, according to the MP behind the latest member’s bill on the order paper. Audio
Budget '23: the ceremonial nature of a big day
The Minister of Finance talks us through the ceremonial nature of the delivery of the Budget in Parliament. Audio
MPs make great talkers, but terrible tellers
Parliament changed a long-standing rule this week and will now leave the counting of votes to the experts. It turns out MPs just aren’t that good at counting. Audio
Private bill offers a more reflective debate
Because a private bill addresses a specific matter particular to just one person it offers a more mellow and reflective style of parliament debate. Audio
Officers of Parliament face more complex and demanding environment
The latest from the House Audio
Congratulating an ‘heir’ but pondering ‘successors’
MPs voted today to congratulate Charles III on his coronation. But while noting the heir, thoughts of an alternative Head of State are not far away. Is it not just inevitable but timely? National’s… Audio
Backbench MPs take on Russia
Backbench MPs sometimes quietly engage in international diplomacy. One relatively junior MP recently faced off against Russia on behalf of not just NZ, but also Canada, Australia and all of Europe. Video, Audio