New Zealand

House of Representatives

Openness and transparency

Information about access to parliamentary documents, parliament’s reporting to the public, parliament’s relation to Freedom of Information laws, and lobbying.

Parliamentary documents

The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance.
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance.
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site.
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website.
Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site

Annual reporting by parliament

Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes
Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget
The parliamentary budget is available on the parliamentary web site
No

Access to parliament

Plenary meetings are open to the public
Notes
The House has the power to exclude non-members (Standing Orders 39, 40) but has only exercised it in cases of national security (during the Second World War).
Committee meetings are open to the public
Notes
Select committee hearings are generally open to the public, unless the committee has resolved to receive evidence in private or secret. Select committee consideration is closed.
There is a dedicated channel for broadcasting parliamentary meetings A dedicated channel is one that is mainly about parliament, and is accessible free of charge to the general public. The channel might be owned by Parliament or a public or private company. Dedicated channels may be broadcast by parliament, government, or another broadcaster. They may be carried on television, radio or the Internet (webcasting).
Media used for the dedicated channel
TV
Radio
Webcast
Meetings broadcast on the dedicated channel
Plenary sittings
Committee meetings

Freedom of information

There is a freedom of information law in the country
Yes
Parliament is subject to the freedom of information law
Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests
No
Categories of Information that are exempt from disclosure Certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure
The Official Information Act 1982 does not apply to the information held by the Office of Clerk and the Parliamentary Service, MPs or MP staff.

Lobbying

There are rules about the activities of lobbyists in parliament
There is a register of accredited lobbyists
The register of accredited lobbyists is available on the parliamentary web site
No