1. 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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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