This week in Parliament

This week in Parliament is a brief overview of anticipated business and events to be conducted by the House and Select Committees in the coming week.

The Order Paper is similar to an agenda, listing all the business before the House that sitting day. The order of business can change until the final order paper is published at 10:30am on the sitting day.

The Select Committee Schedule of meetings lists all committee business being conducted for the week. Business items displaying an asterisk indicate meetings that are open to the public. The meeting schedule is subject to changes at short notice.

Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill

The Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill will continue its second reading (the Budget debate) with 6 hours 7 minutes remaining.

This bill seeks parliamentary authority for individual appropriations contained in the Estimates of Appropriations for the Government of New Zealand for the year ending 30 June 2027.

The full content of the bill is available here.

Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill

The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill is scheduled for its third reading.

This bill proposes to give effect to new policy decisions and make minor and technical changes to the Education and Training Act 2020. The bill would:

• establish the New Zealand School Property Agency
• expand the Teaching Council’s role to include overseeing the teacher education programme
• tighten provisions relating to school attendance exemptions.

The full content of the bill is available here.

Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill

The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill is scheduled for its committee stage.

This bill seeks to clarify the relationship between the Game Animal Council Act 2013 and the National Parks Act 1980. Under section 4(2)(b) of the National Parks Act species introduced into national parks must be exterminated, unless determined otherwise by the New Zealand Conservation Authority. The bill proposes that this requirement not apply to herds of special interest. The requirement would still apply to animals not designated as herds of special interest and to herds of special interest outside the national park area. Under the Game Animal Council Act game animals include deer, tahr, wild pigs, and chamois.

The full content of the bill is available here.

Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill

The Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill is scheduled to continue its second reading.

This bill seeks to address rates rises that are being exacerbated by a lack of fiscal discipline among councils, as well as concerns about the high cost of living. The bill proposes a range of amendments to the Local Government Act 2002. These changes will:

• refocus on the purpose of local government
• better measure and publicise council performance
• prioritise core services in council spending
• strengthen council transparency and accountability
• provide regulatory relief to councils.

The Governance and Administration Committee has examined the bill and recommends by majority that it be passed. All amendments by majority.

The full content of the bill and the Governance and Administration Committee’s report is available here.