Politics And Government
When Parliamentary questions become Christmas gifts
Sometimes choosing a general question for that all-important primary gives the asker an advantage, sometimes it turns out to be a disadvantage. Sometimes it might just be an unintended Christmas gift.
…Parliament’s to do list: Third Readings aplenty
Each sitting day in the House MPs debate bills and today, their penultimate sitting day for the year, they will polish off a list of bills.
A year as ringmaster
Parliament is something of a circus. In the middle of it all as ringmaster, the Speaker. In just over a year Trevor Mallard has already made or begun significant change in Parliament, and reveals he… Audio
Keeping it supreme
In case a government gets carried away with itself and makes up rules where it can't get laws passed, Parliament regularly checks through the latest decrees and keeps itself at the 'top of the hill'.
…Parliament’s to do list: Reserve Bank rules, employment law & medicinal cannabis
Each sitting day in the House MPs debate bills and today they’ll start with what the Reserve Bank sets rates, employment law and medicinal cannabis.
More ways that Parliament is like Hogwarts
The start of every day at Parliament is like being at school, when the headmaster used to read out notices at assembly. It even covers all the same sorts of things. Just another way that Parliament… Audio
The Four Stages of Speeches
I’m sure you’ve noticed that in Parliament MPs spend a lot of time talking.They even argue about the same bill multiple times. But is it Groundhog Day or is it subtly different every time? Audio
When MPs go with their conscience
Milton asked for “the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.” He omitted 'to vote', but he was speaking in Parliament, so maybe that’s a given. Video
The Public Interest Response
During Question Time Ministers are required to answer questions. mostly. There are tactics to get around it, and some exceptions to the expectation. Audio
What happens when an MP quits?
Jami-Lee Ross has both jumped and been pushed this week. When an MP leaves Parliament what happens next? asks Phil Smith.
A harrowing justice trail
Hearing someone tell their wrenching personal history is tough, travelling around to hear hundreds of them is punishing. But apparently also rewarding. Audio
Parliament's trinity: the omnibus bill trick
Parliament regularly does something that might be described as god-like and miraculous, but is actually commonplace. It's a cool trick though. Audio
Parliament’s to do list: suffrage, limbs, and oral fluid
Each sitting day in the House MPs argue about bills that want to grow up and become laws. Here's what they’ll work on this week. Audio
Nga Ratonga Reo Māori: Parliament's language champs
When MPs debate in Maori a team of translators makes sure everyone keeps up with every word, and nuance. Audio
At home to Mr Cockup
Parliament is usually a pretty well-oiled machine, but occasionally - as Blackadder would put it - the House is "at home to Mr Cock-up". Audio
How to shout at MPs on TV
Sometimes the loudest fights are over the rules. To help you join in with the shouting we’ve compiled a bluffer’s guide to the ‘rules of the game’. Video
Coming up
The House: Biscuit tin gamble
Every second Wednesday in the House there’s a chance for MPs to get their own legislation through Parliament. The House talks to two MPs ahead of their bill’s debates. Audio
Anatomy of a minister's office: What happens in the Beehive?
Ever wondered who does what in the tiny wedge-offices that make up the Beehive? One minister gave us an inside look at the anatomy of a minister’s office. Audio
Harder for children to marry
Parliament has made it harder for minors to marry, unanimously passing a members bill to help prevent forced marriage. Audio