Politics

A new process to skip the 'biscuit tin' lottery is being used for the first time - because ACT refused to support a government bill.

National and New Zealand First have been clashing over the deal.

The House: Parliament's first week is the 2026 election campaign writ small, from departing MPs, to the week's 13-hour long debate over whether the government should continue.

However, a new poll also shows most people's positions were not rattled by the recent Jevon McSkimming scandals. Audio

Submissions to Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee nearly all spoke against the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill.

The payments were activated following flooding in various parts of the country from 2022 to 2024, but are yet to be stood up for this year's weather events.

Winston Peters is concerned the Agreement will put pressure on the labour market.

Speaking off-the-cuff, Rurawhe says one of his biggest honours was to serve as Speaker.

Before the typically combative debate on the Prime Minister's statement, the parliamentary year began on a sombre note, with MPs acknowledging recent weather tragedies.

Leader Chris Hipkins has so far refused to say which parties Labour would or would not work with in a future government. Audio

Analysis: Perhaps now we'll get a Judith Collins' memoir that actually 'Pulls No Punches'.

"I've seen Judith and I know she's got a great intellect, she's got a great sense of humour, but most important she's cared a lot for our people and our staff," Christopher Luxon says.