The House
Legislation, issues and insights from Parliament.
Hosted by Phil Smith and 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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New episode
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.
New episode
House 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.
Removing 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.
MPs 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.
Helping 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.
Written 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.
House 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.
Parliament'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.
Turning 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.
Bishop 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.
DEI 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.
Employment 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.
Public 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.
Question Time - the election year edition
The election is still 270 sleeps away, but inside Parliament the hustings are assembled. Question Time's usefulness diminishes but jibes and insults flourish.
Inside the Chief of Staff role: The House chats with Kevin Hague
The House sits down with Kevin Hague to unpack what the Chief of Staff role really involves, what it’s like for the former MP to be back in the parliamentary world.
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