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How Parliament works - New Zealand Parliament
New Zealand Parliament Pāremata Aotearoa
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The debating chamber during question time.
The House next meets on

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The debating chamber during question time.
The House next meets on

Listen

There is no current live audio feed.

How Parliament works

  • A group of children and adults happily giving the thumbs up

    Our system of government

    New Zealand's system of government is known as a constitutional monarchy. It is made up of democratically elected representatives (the MPs) who form the House of Representatives. The Government advises our Head of State, the King. This section outlines the key elements of our system.

  • The Speaker's chair and the Clerk's table.

    Office of the Speaker

    The Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives is the highest officer elected by the House. The position is third most important in New Zealand, after the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. The Office of the Speaker supports the Speaker in this role.

  • Looking up at a book shelf at many volumes of the Parliamentary Debates or Hansards.

    Find out what’s happening in the House

    A lot goes on during a sitting week at Parliament.

  • Parliament House and the Beehive from the north end

    Role of Parliament

    Parliament makes laws and holds the Government to account over its policies, actions, and spending. Parliament consists of the Sovereign (represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General) and the House of Representatives. Both have important work to do.

  • An ipad showing the progress of a bill.

    How laws are made

    New laws begin their life as a bill. After stages of careful consideration and acceptance by Parliament they'll become a law that affects everyone. Take a closer look at how laws are made in New Zealand

  • New Zealand banknotes.

    The Budget

    Parliament examines and approves the Government’s taxes and spending. Here's all you need to know about the Budget process at the New Zealand Parliament.

  • Debating Chamber of New Zealand Parliament

    Who’s who in Parliament?

    What’s the difference between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House? Do Whips really carry around whips – and what does a musterer do?

  • Debating Chamber chairs at New Zealand Parliament (003).jpg

    Parliamentary Privilege in New Zealand

    The New Zealand Parliament has a variety of functions that are crucial to a democratic society. To enable the effective discharge of these functions, Parliament and its members have certain powers, rights and immunities that are collectively called — privilege.

  • Files and papers with graphs.

    Fact sheets

    Didn't find what you're looking for, or just want to know more? Our fact sheets cover a range of subjects about Parliament in detail that you may not have found elsewhere on the website.

  • Procedural guides.

    Procedural Guides

    In this section you'll find the procedural guides for Parliament.

  • photo of somebody holding an open book at waist height and leafing through the pages

    Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand

    Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand is a comprehensive guide to the rules, practices and procedures of our Parliament.

  • A close up of a dictionary page defining the word glossary

    Glossary

    Parliament has its own language and terminology. This glossary lists the terms and explains what they mean.

  • Information sign.

    Need more information?

    Got questions? Need more information? We are happy to answer your questions about Parliament and get you more information when you need it.

  • Close up of a microphone

    Prime Minister's Statement

    At 2pm on the first sitting day of each year the Prime Minister makes a statement to the House reviewing public affairs and outlining the Government’s legislative (and other policy) intentions for the year ahead.

  • Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand Archive

    Archive listings of past Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand publications

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