Spotlight on Parliament
Watch selected video:
How a bill becomes law
Parliament's main job is to create laws for Aotearoa New Zealand. A bill is a proposal to make a new law or change an existing one. But what process does it go through before it becomes law?
- Date
- 07 December 2022
- Duration
- 3:46
> Bill Number Eight: a Bill.
> What's that all about?
> They're pulling out Members' Bills to introduce to Parliament.
> Do they like, owe money or something?
> Haere mai ki tēnei Tīwhiri Pāremata and welcome to this Spotlight on How A bill becomes law.
> Parliament's main job is to create laws for Aotearoa. A bill is a proposal to make a new law or change an existing one. Only Parliament can pass bills into law.
> Parliament considers a few different types of bills such as: Government, which are introduced by Government Ministers.
> Members' Bills which can be introduced by any MP and are usually drawn from the biscuit tin.
> And Private and Local Bills. Sometimes they may go through all stages quickly. Other times it may be more of a marathon. The bill is introduced to all the MPs in the House of Representatives and then it has a first reading.
> Why is it called a reading?
> Well, back in the old days in England, not every MP in the House of Commons could read. So the Clerk had to read aloud the whole bill.
> Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill
> These days only the title of the bill is read out loud. The first reading is the first chance MPs have to debate the bill.
> It happens about three days after the bill is introduced.
> Ko ngā tautohetohe te wā e pai ai taku whakapuaki i ōku whakaaro ki te tahi pire. E wātea ana koe ki te tuku kauhau ki te reo Māori... [Debates on bills are a chance for me to say what I think about a bill. Speeches can be made in Te Reo Māori]
> [SIGNS "NZSL" in New Zealand Sign Language.]
> Or English.
> Me hāngai ngā kōrero ki te kaupapa kōrero, ā, me tuku ki te Māngai, kaua ki ētahi atu Mema Pāremata. [Speeches have to be relevant to the topic of discussion and address the Speaker rather than the other MPs.]
> I roto i te nuinga o ngā tautohetohe pire, tekau mā rua rawa ngā kauwhau. [There are usually 12 speeches in a bill debate.]
> 12 speeches! That could take forever!
> It used to. In 1876 the longest speech in New Zealand Parliament was made by William Lee Rees, which lasted just over 24 hours.
> Woah! When did they eat lunch?
> They had breaks. Thankfully in 1891 a time limit on speeches was introduced. And these days, speeches on bills are up to 10 minutes long.
> The first bill passed by Parliament was the Licencing Amendment Act.
> This was known as the Bellamy's bill which allowed for the sale of alcohol on Parliament premises.
> Cheers!
> If a bill passes its first reading, it goes to select committees. They usually open bills for public submissions so that anyone can share their views.
> Once the committee has reported back to the House, it's time for the bill to have its second reading.
> In the second reading, members debate the main principles of a bill and any changes recommended by the select committee in its report.
> So that's it, it's law now?
> Nope!
> Now the bill goes to Committee of the Whole House. Sorry, Madam Speaker, you'll have to leave the chair.
> Any member can participate in Committee of the Whole House.
> The debate is less formal, but just as important. It gives MPs a chance to examine the bill in detail and propose any changes. They don't get to speak for as long but they get to speak more than once.
> There's no time limit on these debates and they could take several setting days.
> Once the final form of the bill is agreed, it's reprinted with its changes.
> The bill is then ready for its third reading.
> And this is the final reading?
> Yep. This is usually a summing up debate of the bill in its final form. You alright? You've got it!
> The vote at the end of this debate is the final vote in the House to either pass the bill or reject it.
> If a bill is passed, it has one more stage until it becomes a law. Royal Assent.
> Royal Assent, like with the Sovereign?
> That's right. A bill is not a law until it's been signed by the Sovereign or their representative in New Zealand, the Governor General.
> And that's a journey of how a Bill becomes a Law.
> For more information on bills, or anything related to New Zealand Parliament, visit our website at www.parliament.nz
> That's all for now. So until next time, hei konei rā, we'll catch you again soon.
How a bill becomes law
What process does a bill go through before it becomes law?
Floors!
Have you ever wondered why the carpet is green in the Debating Chamber and red in the Legislative Council Chamber?
Elections
Every three years, New Zealanders head to the polls to pick who they want to represent them in Parliament... So how does your vote translate into seats in the House?
Standing Orders
Even Parliament has rules to follow.
Budget Day
A piece of paper? A pile of money? A shopping list?
Sounds of Parliament
What does Parliament sound like? Hint: it's not just MPs shouting in the Chamber...
Oaths & Affirmations
Before you can speak, you've got to swear!
Time is Ticking
Whether it's past, present or future, time at Parliament doesn't always behave the way you'd expect...
Signed, sealed, delivered
Pixelated or paper, this episode is all about the mighty petition!
A vice-regal responsibility
In the final installment of the 'Spotlight on Parliament' series for the 51st Parliament, Jay meets our Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy.
Ngā pire, ngā pire, ngā pire
In our newest installment in the 'Spotlight on Parliament' series, Paula the Papers Officer takes Jay through where literally every bill, paper and report before Parliament lives - the Bills Office - and tries him on his pronunciation of Te Reo Māori!
A really, really big flag
Ever wondered where you could find the third biggest flag in New Zealand?