House Happenings
Last updated: 26 June 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:
Bills introduced
Four bills were introduced this week:
This bill would amend the Environmental Reporting Act 2015. Among other things, the amendments would restate the purpose of the Act to clarify its intended use and outcomes of reporting, reduce the frequency of synthesis reports (state of the environment reports), strengthen the mechanisms for data collection and set data collection standards, and add drivers and outlooks as required components of environmental reports.
This is an omnibus bill to amend New Zealand law as part of implementing the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of India, signed at New Delhi on 27 April 2026.
The primary purpose of this bill is to provide 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).
This bill will provide the sole financial authority from the start of the 2026/27 financial year until the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill is passed.
Matter of privilege
The Speaker referred to the Privileges Committee a matter of privilege regarding evidence given to the Education and Workforce Committee by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Urgent debate
On Tuesday, an urgent debate on Immigration New Zealand's Biometric Capability Upgrade project was held. Click here to read the Hansard report of the debate.
Government motion
On Tuesday, a motion to extend the sitting of the House from 9.00 am until 1.00 pm on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 for the continuation of Government orders of the day Nos 1 to 7 was agreed to.
On Tuesday, a motion regarding appointments to the Intelligence and Security Committee was agreed to.
Government legislation
- The Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill (the Budget debate) had its second reading.
This bill seeks parliamentary authorisation of the individual appropriations contained in The Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the Year Ending 30 June 2027.
- The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill had its third reading.
This bill amends the Education and Training Act 2020 to give effect to new policy decisions and to make other minor and technical changes.
- The Imprest Supply (First for 2026/27) Bill had its first, second and third readings.
- The Appropriation (2025/26 Supplementary Estimates) Bill had its second and third readings.
This bill seeks parliamentary authorisation of the individual appropriations contained in The Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the Year Ending 30 June 2027.
- The committee stage of the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill was completed and the bill had its third reading.
This bill amends the Game Animal Council Act 2013 to ensure that there is no requirement to exterminate valued introduced species that have been designated as herds of special interest.
- The debate on the second reading of the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill was interrupted with eight speeches remaining.
This bill aims to reduce pressure on council rates by refocusing the purpose of local government, better measuring and publicising council performance, prioritising core services in council spending, strengthening council accountability and transparency, and providing regulatory relief to councils.
- The Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill had its third reading.
This bill introduces a presumption against financial redress for serious violent or sexual offenders and provide legal protections for core State agencies when making apologies for abuse in State care.
- The debate on the second reading of the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill was interrupted with six speeches remaining.
This bill aims to reduce unnecessary compliance costs, increase certainty for businesses and organisations about their obligations, and continue to reduce the incidence of workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.
- The India Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill had its first reading and was referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, and the International treaty examination of the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of India was debated.
- Te Here ā Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill had its first reading and was referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, to be reported by 29 July 2026.
Click here to learn about the different stages in how a bill becomes law.
