Stories by Phil Smith
Audio and features
The House For Weds 12 March 2025
Fictional fiscal cliffs. The Prime Minister’s much repeated claim that he “saved school lunches” is nonsense, and relies on us not understanding how budgets actually work. Audio
Petitioner reveals NZ First's original fast track bill, with hidden projects
Petitions often touch on very human stories, or on tricky philosophical issues. This week, one threw explosive new information into an already contentious debate. Audio
Stop the questions: a coach steps in to end the fight
Parliament's Question Time is a slow-moving boxing match with many rounds. This week one boxer's second stepped into the ring to help. They didn't throw in the towel, but they did try to stop the… Audio
How not to answer a question, and other lessons from Parliament
A dispute during Question Time this week was packed with lessons on asking questions in Parliament, and especially how not to answer them. Audio
Kumbayah, now take that!
The House began a new sitting block sharing a little love over the Paris Olympics results, but the sudden outbreak of amity didn't last. Audio
Taking their word for it: Lying and MPs
Few people think MPs never lie, so why are they seldom punished? We investigate Parliament’s rules on mistakes, fibs, and perfidious calumny. Audio
Let your vocal chords do the walking
The censure of an MP this week came with a message about how to handle provocation - keep it vocal. Audio
What on earth is that noise: Parliament's bell keepers.
Behind many MP interviews is an incessant ringing. It’s like parliament itself has tinnitus, or is trying to drown out its inhabitants. What is that noise? Audio
National tries for message discipline, ACT not so much
This week in Parliament the Government's coalition partner antics upended National’s plans and illustrated how not to create message discipline. Audio
Like a student flat, parliament runs on rosters
Like an uncooperative student flat Parliament relies on rosters to organise who gets to speak when. Lots of rosters. And like that flat it probably stops squabbles. Audio
Going back on wards, aiming at gangs
The House looks at two of the major bills this week: one walking back law on Maori wards, and one seeking new ways to show 'tough on gangs'. Audio
MPs on the Abuse in Care report
The moment the Abuse in Care Report was tabled in Parliament MPs began debating what it means and how to respond. Audio
Turn up, stand up: Learning from MP’s mistakes
An embarrassing kerfuffle in Parliament's debating chamber on Wednesday provided fun lessons on how the House works; or at least, how it is meant to work. Audio
Shadow leader visits UK clerks
The House chats with Kieran McAnulty about a recent trip which included visits with the Clerks of the Scottish and Uk Parliaments. Audio
"Plans on top of plans": Being parliament’s scheduler
Ever wanted a job that combines a very public tight-rope walk with solving fiendish puzzles? Helping The Leader of the House wrangle Parliament’s Order Paper is just the thing. Audio
Lobbyists: What do they do and why the bad rep?
Lobbyists are often portrayed as political bogeymen (or women). But what do they actually do and how? The House chats with two of them. Audio
Displacement, drift, layering and conversion: The changing parliament
There is new research on how Parliament's rules change, and the researcher gets to observe that change very closely – Parlament's Clerk of the House. Audio
Submissions on restoring Samoan's citizenship rights
Parliament is hearing submissions on a bill that would create a route to restore NZ citizenship for those Samoans who had that right removed in 1982. Audio
New bills, ferry debacles and Samoan citizenship rights
Parliament tussled through another long week of urgency, and more besides. The House weekend edition has a stormy debate on ferries, five new bills for comment, and submissions on restoring Samoan… Audio
An urgent week leaves bills wanting feedback
Parliament had another week of urgency and a new list of bills. Five now need public feedback on things ranging from charter schools, and medicine regulations, to three strikes sentencing. Audio
Parliament debates ferry stranding and contract
Parliament’s urgent debate on the recent ferry grounding was a rollicking ride, and you might say the Speaker was to blame. Audio
Tuesday: Scrutiny begins
The House covers the beginning of Scrutiny Week - when Parliament makes the Government really work to get its budget approved. Audio
Scrutiny Week: When 'government comes to Parliament and tries to justify its spending'
Despite Parliament having supremacy, governments often play the boss. This week the tables will turn as ministers face up to backbenchers for Parliament's first Scrutiny Week. Audio
Making complaining about MPs less scary
Parliament has a long-held reputation for bad bosses and even worse behaviour. One solution is a new independent role to hear complaints. Audio
Budget Day: A Photo Essay
Budget Day in photos: Facts, attacks, stories, protests, pantomime and proclamations. Audio