House Happenings
Last updated: 07 August 2026During sitting weeks, the House of Representatives meets in the Debating Chamber to debate legislation, ask and answer questions, and more. So, what happened in the House the last time it sat? We break it down for you below:
Government motion
On Tuesday, a motion congratulating the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team was agreed to.
Government legislation
The Natural Environment Bill had its second reading.
· This bill replaces the Resource Management Act 1991, working in tandem with the Planning Bill.
The Planning Bill had its second reading.
· This bill replaces the Resource Management Act 1991, working in tandem with the Natural Environment Bill.
The Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill had its second reading and committee stage.
· This bill amends the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to create a statutory bar on tort liability for emissions-related climate change effects.
The Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill had its second reading and committee stage.
· This bill provides for the transfer of legal title in certain lands from the Crown (as a former trustee) to the new trustees as appointed by the Court (the trustees of Te Here ā Nuku Trust).
The Crimes Amendment Bill had its third reading.
· This bill amends the Crimes Act 1961 to strengthen consequences for certain crimes and meet commitments in the National/New Zealand First coalition agreement.
The committee stage of the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill was interrupted during the debate on Part 1.
- This bill establishes a young serious offender declaration and a new military-style academy order in the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.
Click here to learn about the different stages in how a bill becomes law.
General debate and members' day
A general debate and members’ day took place on Wednesday. Click here to read the Hansard of this debate.
The general debate occurs during most Wednesday sittings of the House, following oral questions and any urgent debate, if one has been allowed on that day. The debate is an opportunity for members to discuss miscellaneous topics that would otherwise be unlikely to come before the House for debate.
Members’ days take place on alternate Wednesdays when the House is sitting. On a members’ day, private, local, and members’ business takes precedence. Click here for more information.
Private legislation
The Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill had its second reading.
- This bill amends the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust deed to allow the trust to provide social and affordable rental housing and associated services beyond Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.
The Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill had its second reading.
- This bill seeks to amend the terms of trust for Trust Horizon to broaden its objects to include any charitable purpose within Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, and Kaingaroa.
Members’ legislation
The Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill had its first reading and was referred to the Governance and Administration Committee.
- The purpose of this bill is to provide the mayor and elected councillors with the mandate to more effectively govern and control the activities of their local authority.
The committee stage of the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill was completed.
The debate on the second reading of the Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill was interrupted with 11 speeches remaining.
- This bill allows for protected negotiations to occur between an employer and an employee to terminate the employee's contract if, for example, the demands of the business mean that it is imperative to dismiss the employee.
