Phil Smith

A parliamentary committee tasked with keeping a check on regulation has heard how the Regulatory Standards Board would duplicate its role, but without its powers.

Parliament is considering an employment relations bill that would cement contractor status, water down or eliminate grievance claims, and end '30-day rule' requirements.

Before laws are finalised, MPs get a last chance to argue for changes. Pav Sharma, whose office manages them, explains the purpose, rules, and process for the many amendments.

Parliament's week ended early out of respect for Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp who died on Thursday.

When Parliament undertakes governance of governments, there are always tactics and politics involved.

It's Scrutiny Week at Parliament, when Ministers face Select Committees to defend their budget plans. We asked Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan about the week and the preparation necessary.

Sanctions against Te Pāti Māori MPs were historic, but they weren't the only thing that happened in the house.

Parliament, with an early history saturated in alcohol, has had no bar at all for months. The Pint of Order has now opened, and its dinky size may show just how much Parliament has changed.

Last week's post-Budget urgency did not go smoothly, forcing the government to jettison earlier plans in order to make progress.

Former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand talks about the role's relationship with Parliament and the Executive, and its use as a guard-rail for democracy.

Analysis: Reactions and advice from Parliament's Clerk, Speaker and even the committee chair show it has recommended harsh punishments.

In Parliament, MPs were shouting about pay equity and wildlife protection - next door, the mood was more upbeat and louder.

The Equal Pay Amendment Bill was passed this week under urgency, but left some puzzles in its wake. Answers to the questions 'why' and 'why now' continue to be revealed.

Returning from a three week recess, MPs' first business was a motion in honour of a pope, which elicited possibly Parliament's first Hail Mary.

Other nations are experiencing the erosion of democratic norms - even authoritarianism. Is our constitution strong enough to withstand it?

Arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets… Many things are banned in Parliament's Question Time. The House goes on a scavenger hunt for them.

Parliament's Privileges Committee has been a major source of news over the last few weeks. What is privilege, and how does the committee typically work?

Public submissions potentially ignored and unrecorded were a focus this week. We background how the process usually works and what will happen now.

Gerry Brownlee was a teacher when the cane ruled the classroom. As Parliament's Speaker, he is reluctant to use the punishments options available.

Parliament spent much of this week debating bills under urgency. The government can get more done in the House that way, but it also slows down progress in committees.

MPs will spend the week debating bills under urgency. We outline the key legislation proposed. Audio

Parliament's recent inquiry and debate on climate change adaptation asked small questions, looked short-term and inched towards reactive solutions.

Parliament has debated its inquiry into the 2025 Budget Policy Statement. The government side was evangelical on growth, but the numbers did not suggest a promised land. Audio

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

Parliament began its week with an urgent debate on an opaque ministerial resignation - in this ersatz trial, theories were plentiful.