Case Study: The New Zealand Select Committee System Effective Oversight: Strengthening the Committee System Tutehounuku (Nuk) Korako national List member of Parliament Chairman, māori affairs Select Komiti member, local government & environment Select committee Case Study: The New Zealand Select Committee System

Specialist/Administrative Committees Business Privileges Officers of Parliament Regulations Review Standing Orders

The Legislative Process Please Refer to the Hand-out First Reading Select Committee Second Reading Committee of the Whole House Third Reading Royal Assent

Subject Select Committees Māori Affairs Komiti Local Government and Environment Committee Education and Science Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Health Law and Order Primary Production Commerce Finance and Expenditure Government Administration Justice and Electoral Social Services Transport and Industrial Relations

Public submissions Public make written submissions Submitters are invited to appear in person The Committee may travel to hear submissions Strengths of the submission process: Engages people in the legislative process Ensures we hear from people affected by laws Allows us to hear from experts

Detailed review of Bills Starts with submissions and official advice Allows more detail than House debates Provides opportunity to discuss Bill in detail with officials This is not seen by the public, but it is where the most important work in Parliament gets done. Here is Where the Heavy Lifting is Done on the Bill

Working collaboratively Not as combative as debate in the House We still disagree, but we work together where we can The Māori Affairs Select Komiti makes most decisions by consensus Even where disagreements are strong, Opposition can contribute to improvements in the Bill

Minority reports Members who disagree with the Committee’s conclusions can submit a ‘minority report’ Records the views of a minority person or group – usually an opposition party Provides official way for opposition to give their own carefully considered view, where it differs from the majority of the Committee

Strengths of the NZ system Gives the public a say Ensures careful scrutiny by officials & MPs Provides an environment for MPs to work collaboratively Provides dissenting voices a way to officially put forward their own view