Stories by Daniela Maoate-Cox

On Thursday 14 May 2020 at 2pm the Finance Minister will announce Budget 2020. Here’s a guide for those planning to tune in. 

MPs have worked on Covid-19 related bills under urgency shortening a process from months to hours.

Parliament's second week in the debating chamber at alert level 3 includes the return of the General debate and two Covid-19 related bills.

In the first week of alert level 3 MPs have speedily passed a tax bill, started a performance review of the Government and heard views on prisoner voting.

The House has resumed after a five week lock down and while the usual features like question time will remain there are a couple of changes.

MPs are due back in the debating chamber after more than a month of lockdown but there are some changes to comply with alert level 3 including fewer MPs and time for debates

It’s the question you didn’t ask, which Epidemic Committee member has the best Zoom background?

Only a few days remain for the public to share their view on a bill which would allow prisoners to enrol to vote. Here’s what submitters need to know. 

For three weeks the Epidemic Response Committee has been grilling Ministers and Officials on their response to Covid-19 but how much power do they actually have?

The country has been told to self-isolate as it heads towards a nationwide lockdown so why did Parliament meet today?

Covid-19 is dominating the news and minds of people across the world but it's less of a feature in the debating chamber

The Government has been busy with its response to Covid-19 but as far as Parliament goes it's business as normal says Leader of the House Chris Hipkins

Parliament's first member's day for the year has resulted in the passing of a bill to fund disabled election candidates and the failure of a bill calling for more detailed broadcast data

Abortion, euthanasia, and firearms bills drew thousands of submissions but their final impact on legislation left many disappointed. Daniela Maoate-Cox asks how MPs weigh up public opinion when making…

The first week of question time is done for 2020 and featured topics including coronavirus, Ihumatao, and gangs.

Party leaders launched into the first debate of the year slinging criticism across the House but the debate on the Prime Minister’s statement is actually a chance to remove those in power. 

MPs will pay tribute to the former Prime Minister Mike Moore when they return to Parliament today for the first sitting day of 2020.

Parliament's end of year break-up event trades sausage rolls and candy canes for reflection and last minute jabs in what's called the adjournment debate.  

This is Parliament’s ultimate week of the year. But the line-up is less in the sense of the epitome of superlative greats, and more the eventual, terminal, conclusion. 

The end of the year is often a time of reflection and Parliament does this too by assessing the performance of Government funded entities and acknowledging the Whakaari/White Island eruption 

A bill clarifying bereavement leave for miscarriage or still birth has passed its first reading at Parliament.

After months of gridlock the passage was finally open for member’s bills this week and three went shooting amicably through.

For the first time in about five months, Parliament's members' day wasn't about the End of Life Choice Bill. The House recaps what they covered.

Parliament's calendar has just three weeks left in the year for MPs to work on legislation. This week will include bills on referendums, foreign donations, and education.

Taxpayers paid thousands of dollars for five New Zealand MPs to go to Tonga and Fiji so what does New Zealand get out of it asks Daniela Maoate-Cox.