Select Committee process explained

What do Select Committees do?

Select Committees are a fundamental part of New Zealand’s law-making process. Committees are made up of a handful of MPs from across all parties in Parliament.

Each Select Committee has a particular subject matter or specialist area it handles, for example health or justice. It is their job to examine Bills (proposed laws) and hear feedback from the public on them.

Stages of a Bill in Parliament

1. Introduction
2. First Reading
3. Select Committee
4. Second Reading
5. Committee of the Whole House
6. Third Reading
7. Royal Assent

Bills go to a Select Committee after their first reading in Parliament. The Select Committee will call for public submissions on the Bill. Committees want to hear your views and recommendations – making a submission is your chance to suggest a change to a Bill.

The Select Committee will report its recommendations (including any changes) to Parliament before the second reading of the Bill.

How to make a submission

You can make a submission to a Select Committee as an individual or an organisation, for example an iwi or hapū.

Submissions are in writing, although you can also ask to talk to the Select Committee in person. You can make a submission in English or te reo Māori. You can make a submission through Parliament’s website. Submissions are published online.