What happens in a sitting week?

What’s the issue?

Parliament has a rhythm, and that rhythm is important to policy professionals because it drives a lot of their work. Typically (but not always), Parliament starts sitting after Waitangi Day, and it rises for the year in December. In between those times, the weeks that MPs gather in the debating chamber are called ‘sitting weeks’.

Why does it matter?

When Parliament is sitting, it carries out particular functions that policy professionals support. For example, legislation is debated and oral parliamentary questions are asked of Ministers.

But sitting weeks also create other types of work, outside of the debating chamber. MPs from around the country, including Ministers, are gathered in Wellington. That makes it a sensible time for Cabinet committees to meet, and Ministers may also host meetings with constituents and stakeholders in their Beehive offices.

All this means that sitting weeks can add up to a flurry of activity for government agencies.

What’s the solution?

It pays to get ahead of your work demands by factoring in sitting weeks – especially if you’re working in an area that might lead to oral parliamentary questions.

At the end of each year, the Parliament website publishes the sitting programme for the next year. If you’re working on something major involving milestones during sitting weeks, like papers going to Cabinet committee or legislation being introduced, it’s a good idea to start sketching out your timeline early.