Drug testing at festivals, a new tax bracket, more sick leave, and a quicker change in Covid-19 alert levels will be worked on at Parliament under urgency this week.

The latest from the HouseThe 53rd Parliament of New Zealand has been officially opened over two days of ceremonies in Wellington. Here’s how it happened.

Parliament’s Speaker has claimed the House’s ‘rights and privileges’ and been promised a favourable construction. What does any of that really mean?

A variety of texts including a book of children’s Māori proverbs, the Koran, and the Bill of Rights Act are being used by MPs swearing-in on day one of the 53rd Parliament.

We’ve had an election, we have a government and on Wednesday we complete the set with a Parliament. Here’s what happens this week.

On their way out the door MPs took a last swing at representation, policy ideas and general fisticuffs.

Parliament had finally ended, but even on the way out the door there are still rules. Judith Collins faulted at least a trinity of them in one question.

One of the final question times for the 52nd Parliament has been used to question the Government's Covid-19 messaging

Parliament has agreed to the biggest shake-up of its rules since MMP, including changes to how it works, where and when it meets; even how it looks on TV.

The House continues to question the Government on its Covid-19 response through three different parliamentary features including question time, ministerial statements, and the general debate.