Latest from NZ Parliament

Carter loving every minute

Speaker David Carter, who threw out MPs for the first time this week, reflects on his first two months in an interview with political editor Audrey Young

David Carter ejects MPs from the House

Speaker David Carter has ejected MPs from the House for the first time, kicking out Labour's Trevor Mallard and Chris Hipkins this afternoon.

John Armstrong: Fired-up Shearer easy target for Key

Someone should tell David Shearer that getting all indignant about someone else's blunder was not the best of tactics to employ in Parliament, writes John Armstrong.

Voters divided on four-year term

Voters are almost evenly split on whether the parliamentary term should be extended from three to four years in the latest poll.

Toby Manhire: Banks does Brainfade Dave a favour

Banks invited us to recall that ugly Dotcom episode, replete with allegations of impropriety, writes Toby Manhire. Not so in Shearer's case.

SFO's quake rebuild fraud investigations 'progressing well'

New Speaker's question time 'more chaotic' - Greens

Gay bill: Another step forward for love

Same-sex marriage campaigners say the overwhelming support for the bill is a ringing endorsement which shows MPs are in line with the views of ordinary Kiwis.

Gay bill bolts over hurdle

Hugs, cheers and kisses were thrown around Parliament last night as MPs moved marriage equality in New Zealand one step closer to reality.

Lawyer blasts govt for refusing to let activist speak

A leading human rights lawyer yesterday hit out at a decision banning a West Papua independence activist from speaking at Parliament.

John Armstrong: Speaker's overkill denies right of free speech

"Is NZ's relationship with Indonesia so lacking that it could not tolerate a West Papuan independence activist speaking at a lunch-hour meeting?" asks John Armstrong.

Spectre of Smith looms over chair

Carter takes over as Speaker of the House despite Labour move to install Mallard

New ministers sworn in by Governor-General

The new ministers promoted in the National-led Government's cabinet reshuffle were sworn in by the Governor-General this morning.

Insults fly as battle lines set

The Prime Minister has defined National as a pro-foreign investment, pro-roads, pro-infrastructure, pro-PPP, and pro-Sky City Convention Centre kind of party.

Labour runs tape over house plan

Labour's housing spokeswoman Annette King says National was promising to deliver three and four-bedroom homes for less than $485,000 at Hobsonville despite claiming Labour could not deliver the same sized homes for less on cheaper land.

Carter admits being an unbiased Speaker 'a big ask'

Blows traded in first Parliamentary sitting

Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader David Shearer have started the parliamentary year by trading blows.

'No magic silver bullet' for housing affordability

New Housing Minister Nick Smith says there is no silver bullet to address the issue of housing affordability in New Zealand.