The House
326 episodes — Page 1 of 7
Financial scrutiny in an election year
Politics; starting them young
House on Sunday: Budget day and its aftermath
After the Budget, urgency
Budget Day: More performance than spreadsheet
Slavery and terminated subjects squeezed in around the edges
Document handling debate distracts from Budget Week beginnings
The House on Sunday: Chamber blowback & biscuit tin tactics
The politics behind government backbenchers’ members’ bills
Chamber blowback: The third law of political motion
House on Sunday: farewells and funding
The constitutional shift you may have missed this week
Labour and National find common ground on online harm
'Practical change’ or ‘paradigm shift’? MPs debate conservation reform
House on Sunday: Learning on the ministerial job
The House on Sunday: Anti-slavery law uses new rule to bypass ballot
MPs probe BSA’s role in the digital era
New prisoner segregation rules get ‘dignity, not sympathy’ response from MPs
Question Time begins with a showdown between a Minister and..... a Minister?
House on Sunday: Politics spills over into the House throughout the week
The General Debate: Open mic night at Parliament
Ministers brought back on task for Annual Review debate
Responsibility and porkies: When party politics bleeds into Parliament
The Victorian Parliament: Amid slum, disease, fire and illegal demolition
Citizens assemblies: an alternative to select committees?
The House on Sunday: Fish fights and satire rights
Ep 777MPs debate taking the Mickey
This week, MPs debated a bill to protect parody and satire, the right to take the mickey under New Zealand’s copyright law, something they themselves may well be the target of.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 776Auckland housing law passes under urgency, after a freewheeling committee
An Auckland housing plan law passed quickly under urgency, but its committee stage was full of interesting asides.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 775Urgency, but first... fishing
It’s a busy week at Parliament, with the House getting urgent on Auckland, and debating alcohol, animals, banter, and badges. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 774The House of Sunday: MPs debate both local and global issues
With politicians' attention very much looking outward amidst talks of a potential escalation in the conflict, or even a fuel crisis reminiscent of the 1970s, Parliament still nonetheless had things to address back home.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 773 Immigration changes to both protect migrants and also ease deporting them
Amendments to immigration law would further punish migrant exploitation and also widen the ability to deport migrants for various offences. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 772MPs Lament greyhound Ban but still vote for it
A bill moving through Parliament is set to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. This week’s second reading offered a case study in careful, and at times awkward, political messaging. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 771MPs debate an apparent offer to assist in the Strait of Hormuz
Parliament’s first debate this week was over New Zealand signing a statement offering “readiness to contribute" in the Strait of Hormuz. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 770What to expect when you’re expecting an election
With an election looming in November, The House sat down with Clerk David Wilson to get a roadmap of what’s to be expected between now and then. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 768The House on Sunday: Long term debates and departing reflections
This week at Parliament we heard a debate all about the future that ended up being mired in the past. We also heard a goodbye speech from one of Parliament's more talented orators. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 769Henare asks MPs to rebuild trust in Parliament
Peeni Henare left Parliament this week with a final address full of stories and humour. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 767MPs debate the long term, but even a week is a long time in politics
New Zealand’s long-term economic future may be vitally important, but a debate on the 40 year fiscal future proves fertile ground for short-term politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 766MPs debate lessons learned from the pandemic
The final report from the inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 pandemic response has been released. With an election approaching, MPs quickly the findings into a political football – defending their record or criticising the former government.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 765House on Sunday: Submission advice, and politics in infrastructure
The House Sunday Edition combines two stories from Parliament's week. First, advice on convincing a select committee to amend a bill. Then, MPs on better infrastructure planning with less politics.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 764Removing politics from infrastructure, with a little politics
The House reviews the special debate on the National Infrastructure Plan, when most MPs agreed they ought to remove politics from decisions, and couldn't help but be political. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 763MPs put public service integrity under the microscope
The integrity of New Zealand’s public service was under the microscope at Parliament today as the Governance and Administration select committee heard from the Public Service Commission regarding their long term insight briefing. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 762Helping stop bad law
Select Committees are everyone’s best chance to stop the impacts of bad law. We have tips to help maximise your chances, with examples from hearings on the Arms Bill. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 761Written Questions: A less frustrating Question Time?
MPs Ayesha Verrall and Ricardo Menéndez March outline Parliament’s lesser known written version of Question Time, and compare it to its louder, less forthcoming, cousin. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 760House on Sunday: Maiden speeches and memorable speeches
Following the retirement of former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, Parliament has a new MP in, Labour's Georgie Dansey, a former teacher, and unionist based in Hamilton. She delivered her maiden speech on Wednesday this week. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 759Parliament's late comer makes maiden statement
Parliament's newest MP Georgie Dansey gave her maiden statement this week, wasting no time in getting stuck into her role as a member of the opposition. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 758Turning back time through law
Parliament is considering a law that changes what was legal in the past. Retrospective law-making is allowed, but rare and controversial.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 757Bishop and McAnulty speeches among the standouts
Parliament’s year begins with a very long debate. We review the event and sample a few of the best speakers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 756DEI and Employment Relations: The week's contentious bills
Two bills made strong progress this week against fierce opposition. They aim to end diversity hiring in the public service, and "rebalance" employment relations. The House considers the bills and lopsided debating.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 755Employment relations and full speed, one-sided debates
In Parliament's first proper week back the government was still high-speed legislating with an extra sitting. Among the bills was one to "rebalance" employee/employer rights. The debate was quite one-sided. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Ep 754Public Service Amendment Bill reignites DEI debate in the House
The Public Service Amendment Bill is back in the House from Select Committee, and has reignited debate on the culture war flashpoint of DEI. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details