Skip to main content

How many times, if any, has he sought advice from the Cabinet Office regarding a potential or perceived conflict of interest in relation to a matter before him within his portfolio, since first assuming that portfolio, listed by date? and 1 other question

Answered 13183, 13185 (2026)
Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 13183

    How many times, if any, has he sought advice from the Cabinet Office regarding a potential or perceived conflict of interest in relation to a matter before him within his portfolio, since first assuming that portfolio, listed by date?

  • 13185

    How many times, if any, has he received advice — whether from the Cabinet Office or otherwise — that a matter before him may give rise to a conflict of interest, since first assuming that portfolio, listed by date?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform

Answer

I have met with the Cabinet Office on a number of occasions since my appointment as a Minister, to discuss or review conflicts of interest in relation to all of my portfolios. Details regarding conflicts of interest disclosed to the Cabinet Office are not generally released, in order to ensure the confidentiality of Cabinet proceedings, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs, and in some cases, to protect personal privacy. This has been the approach of successive administrations because it is in the public interest that the Cabinet Office can obtain and assess information about conflicts of interest and provide advice to Ministers on how to resolve them on a confidential basis. The Cabinet Office proactively releases information about where conflicts of interests are managed by a transfer of responsibility on its website.