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The House

Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.
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Episodes

Government completes four bills in a week of political sideshows

Amidst political distractions Parliament continued to consider legislation, with four government bills completing their legislative journeys this week. Two enjoyed relative consensus across the House. The other two not so much. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nov 13, 20256 minEp. 730

Introducing: Politics NZ

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nov 10, 20251 minEp. 726

A former PM weighs in on Parliament's rules

This week, the Standing Orders committee who are doing their triennial review of Parliament's rules heard from a former PM Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nov 06, 20254 minEp. 727

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nov 02, 202514 minEp. 722

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? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 25, 202514 minEp. 721

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 23, 20255 minEp. 720

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 22, 20256 minEp. 719

It's called Question Time, not Answer Time

Parliament’s Question Time is correctly named. Actual answers can be few and far between. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 21, 20255 minEp. 718

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 Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 16, 20255 minEp. 717

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 15, 20255 minEp. 716

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…' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 14, 20254 minEp. 715

'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? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 11, 202511 minEp. 714

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 Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 09, 20255 minEp. 713

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. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 08, 20254 minEp. 712

The third branch: Parliament's relationship with the courts

The state has three independent branches. Victoria University Dean of Law, Geoff McLay helps explain the crucial relationship between parliament, government and the courts. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Oct 04, 202514 minEp. 710

Inside the Beehive’s emergency command bunker

Under the Beehive is the National Crisis Management Centre – an underground command centre where NEMA can coordinate responses to national crises. We take a tour. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 27, 202515 minEp. 709

Government gets urgent on adoption

Parliament changed New Zealand’s adoption laws this week. The bill was revealed at the last minute, and thanks to urgency and unanimous support, it was completed within a day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 20, 202514 minEp. 708

Government passes adoption bill under urgency

This week, the Government introduced an adoption law change at the last minute, which, thanks to urgency, passed all stages in one day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 17, 20255 minEp. 706

Moves from the Question Time playbook

Perhaps the most recognisable part of Parliament is Question Time. But what techniques do MPs from both sides use to game it to their advantage? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 16, 20254 minEp. 705

Politics vs Governance: The Budget finale

This week the Government’s 2025 budget was finally approved by Parliament. The last major hurdle involved a long walk through a political minefield of questions, and even some answers. We look at the range of approaches, ideal and less so; including a new way to avoid answering questions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 13, 202512 minEp. 704

The four month journey to budget approval

It's been over 100 days since Bugdet Day but lo and behold, the government is still in the process of securing Parliament's approval for the planned spending. The delay comes down to Parliament’s lengthy financial scrutiny process. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 10, 20255 minEp. 703

Parliament’s workload and pace squeezing out committees

Parliament’s week is traditionally shaped across three days. That shape is increasingly being squeezed and select committees are being forced into the margins. We consider the factors at play. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sep 09, 20255 minEp. 702
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