Johnny Blades

Apr 27, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Johnny Blades

Over the last six years, Parliament’s clerks have had to vet about 40,000 written questions each year. A written question – from an opposition MP to a minister – is a commonly used tool in Parliament, but not well-known outside political circles. They are not as familiar to the public as the more theatrical and confrontational oral question, as asked during Question Time. Written questions exist in the shadow of their oral cousins.

Apr 21, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Johnny Blades

We all know that Members of Parliament have a job that comes with a great deal of pressure. Mentally, it can be tough going, and sometimes this results in MPs making mistakes that can unravel not just their career but the work they have done along the way too. In this piece, The House speaks to several experienced Members of Parliament to gauge what mental health support, pastoral care or mentoring is available to help MPs cope with the strain.

Apr 20, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Johnny Blades

We all know that Members of Parliament have a job that comes with a great deal of pressure. Mentally, it can be tough going, and sometimes this results in MPs making mistakes that can unravel not just their career but the work they have done along the way too. In this piece, The House speaks to several experienced Members of Parliament to gauge what mental health support, pastoral care or mentoring is available to help MPs cope with the strain.

Apr 6, 2024 | 1news.co.nz | Johnny Blades

A petition can be an effective way for the public to get the attention of Parliament, and it doesn’t necessarily need lots of signatures. It’s not often that a petition to Parliament results in a law change, but changes can occur as a result of MPs considering a petition and digesting submissions on the topic. It’s a journey that the petitioner invites MPs and the wider community to join them on, and sometimes it can venture quite far into the territory of Parliamentary process.

Apr 6, 2024 | rnz.co.nz | Johnny Blades

A petition can be an effective way for the public to get the attention of Parliament, and it doesn’t necessarily need lots of signatures. It’s not often that a petition to Parliament results in a law change, but changes can occur as a result of MPs considering a petition and digesting submissions on the topic. It’s a journey that the petitioner invites MPs and the wider community to join them on, and sometimes it can venture quite far into the territory of Parliamentary process.