Exploring

Parliament
Room 6
What is Parliament?
Our Parliament has two parts: the Sovereign (the King or
Queen) and the House of Representatives. In New Zealand,
the Sovereign is usually represented by the Governor-General
Sir Jerry Mateparae. The House of Representatives is made up
of about 120 elected members of Parliament (MPs). The
members of Parliament represent the views and concerns of the
people of New Zealand, which means we are a democracy.
What does Parliament do?
O It passes new laws laws are necessary for a fair and
safe society.
O It represents the people New Zealands system of
government is representative. This means that the
people of Parliament are elected by the people, and
Parliament needs to represent the views and concerns
of all New Zealanders.
O It keeps the Government accountable Parliament
has ways of checking that the Government makes wise
and responsible decisions for the people of New
Zealand.
O It approves how tax money is spent Parliament
must approve for Governments plans for how taxes are
to be spent.
How is Parliament organised?
O Our Parliament is modelled on the British
Parliament, so our system of government
is sometimes called the Westminster
system.
O The Government is led by the Prime
Minister, who appoints other members as
Ministers.
Who is in Parliament?
O Sovereign
O Speaker of the House
O Prime Minister
O Leader of the Opposition
O Minister of the Crown
O Clerk of the House
O Serjeant-At-Arms
How does Parliament make
laws?
O What would life be like with no laws?
Much of Parliaments work involves
making laws and changing laws.
O A proposal for a new law is called a bill.,
Once a bill has been introduced to the
House, it goes through several stages of
being looked at and discussed. If a
majority of MPs agree with a bill, it then
receives the Royal assent before
becoming an Act of Parliament and
passing into law.

How does a bill become law?
O 1. Introduction the bill is introduced to the House.
O 2.First Reading Members of Parliament debate whether the
bill should go on to a select committee for further consideration
or whether it shouls be rejected.
O 3.Select Committee A select committee of MPs carefully
consider the bill.
O 4. Second Reading The bill returns to the House, along with
recommendations of the select committee.
O 5.Committee of the whole House Members debate a bill
part by part in a detailed examination that can take several
days. This is the last chance to change the bill.
O 6. Third Reading In this final debate, MPs look at the bill as a
whole and consider what will happen if the bill becomes law.
O 7. Royal Assent The Governor-General signs the bill on
behalf of the Sovereign, agreeing that it should become an Act
of Parliament and pass into law.
Key Issues
O Debating issues and laws are a vital part
of our democracy.
O When introducing or amending laws, there
are set procedures that must be followed.
These processes allow opportunities for
scrutiny and debate.
O When debating issues or laws, multiple
viewpoints can be presented.

Introducing our House of
Representatives
The Debate!