Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand

Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand by Sir Geoffrey Palmer is a very interesting read. If you are interested in politics, you should read it at least once.

The book’s namesake, parliamentary privilege, is deemed the ‘oil of the democratic machine’. In 128 pages, Palmer looks at how New Zealand Parliament works and why things need to change, going into detail about its history and how, over time, it has been outpaced by other democracies. What needs to change to maintain a healthy system of governance? 

In the book, he calls for transparency with the people about how New Zealand Parliament conducts itself and argues that if we do nothing, we will slide further away from the ideals that our country was built on. 

Palmer is, as usual, on point with his analysis; it is well detailed and comprehensive. He gets right to the heart of the issue and does not muck around with preamble, which is something I have always admired about his writing. 

The only fly in the ointment would have to be that, unless you are keen on politics, Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand may not capture you. This is a crying shame, as it is a book that in some way or other should interest everyone, because it affects everyone.

Those who are not interested in politics or the law may find the book to be a bit of a dry read, but it is quite short, so if they stick with it, they should be able to knock it out in a few days. And in Palmer’s defense, the world of law is not one of romance or action-adventure. 

In summary, Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s Parliamentary Privilege in Aotearoa New Zealand will not be for everyone; some will struggle, but if you like to learn about our history or scrutinise how New Zealand Parliament wields its powers, especially ahead of the 2026 General Election, it will be right up your alley.