Johnny Blades
Taking MPs at their word, or not
The principle that all MPs are honourable and that they should be taken at their word has been tested multiple times this week in Parliament. Audio
Making the cut: two of Parliament's thresholds
This weekly edition looks at thresholds: regarding what gets the nod for Urgent Debates, and also what it's like being a List MP on the cusp of Parliament. Audio
Auditor-General's youth mental health report before committee
The Health Select Committee has been digesting the Auditor-General’s report on how well public organisations are working to meet the mental health needs of young people. Audio
Touch and go: list MPs on the cusp
Due to vagaries of the MMP system, some list MPs must endure a period of waiting and uncertainty before they can enter Parliament. Audio
Parliament’s future out the back
A big new wooden superstructure is about to be built out the back of Parliament House, and is planned to be ready to fit dozens of MPs by the next election. Audio
Long sitting block wraps up, urgency used throughout
A rare four-week sitting block at Parliament has wound up, with the Government’s programme of moving legislation through under urgency used throughout. Audio
Parliament agencies face increased demands and tight funds
Due to the increasing demands on the work of the Office of the Clerk in an environment of funding constraints, the efficiency of some key Parliament functions could suffer. Audio
Parliament: Why so much urgency?
The new Parliament has spent most of its existence under urgency. What is that, and why use it? Audio
Testy times for presiding officers
This morning’s debates in the chamber provided multiple examples of how difficult it can be as a presiding officer when contentious bills are going through under urgency. Audio
Foreign minister seeks larger diplomatic footprint, despite cuts
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee has been holding its annual review of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Audio
Parliament pauses out of respect for Efeso Collins
Parliament has paused out of respect for the Green Party MP Efeso Collins who died unexpectedly in Auckland this morning. Audio
Inter-tribal massacre in Papua New Guinea leaves more than 50 dead
A Pacific specialist says an inter-tribal massacre claiming more than 50 lives in Papua New Guinea's Enga province is by no means an isolated incident.
Former-RNZ Pacific senior journalist Johnny… Audio
Water reforms ditched and digital hitches: Parliament week
This weekly wrap of The House looks at the repeal of major water reforms passed in the last Parliament term, and a Select Committee hearing on news media's existential crisis. Audio
News media's existential crisis comes to select committee
A select committee is considering views on a bill that seeks a more level playing field in the digital market that our media industry operates in, where tech giants dominate. Audio
Water reforms down the drain after repeal bill
The Water Services Acts Repeal Bill has passed through all stages while Parliament went into urgency. Audio
Marathon sitting block underway with more repeals
An unusually long sitting block begins today at Parliament, beginning with another repeal of law passed by the previous government. Audio
Select Committee live-streaming moves off Facebook
Live-streaming of public select committee hearings is now being hosted on Parliament’s own website instead of on Facebook. Audio
Legislative year begins with ending Productivity Commission
The first piece of legislation Parliament is looking at in 2024 disestablishes a Crown entity that MPs all agreed has been doing great work. But they don't all agree that it should go. Audio