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Has any representative of Fonterra or Z Energy discussed the Smith v Fonterra case with his office, if so, on what date? and 60 other questions

Answered 61 questions (2026)
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Questions

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20419

    Question published

    Has any representative of Fonterra or Z Energy discussed the Smith v Fonterra case with his office, if so, on what date?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20420

    Question published

    Has any representative of Fonterra or Z Energy discussed the Smith v Fonterra case with him, if so, on what date?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20421

    Question published

    On what specific date or dates, if any, did representatives of Z Energy or Fonterra contact his office or any member of his office regarding amendments to legislation?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20422

    Question published

    On what specific date or dates, if any, did representatives of Z Energy or Fonterra contact his office or any member of his office regarding the Smith v Fonterra case?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20424

    Question published

    Was Z Energy and Fonterra’s proposed amendment legislation passed on by anyone in his office to any other Minister, any of their staff, or any Government officials; if so, who?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20426

    Question published

    Was the member of his office who received the 2024 briefing note prepared on behalf of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case employed by both Ministerial Services and the National Party?

Show the remaining 55 questions

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20429

    Question published

    Was the member of his office who received the 2024 briefing note prepared on behalf of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case also a member of his office as Leader of the National Party?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20430

    Question published

    Was the member of his office who received the 2024 briefing note prepared on behalf of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case a member of his Prime Ministerial Office?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20434

    Question published

    On what dates, if any, were meetings held between his staff and representatives of Z Energy or Fonterra in relation to the Smith v Fonterra litigation, and who attended these meetings?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20437

    Question published

    Did his office receive a copy of a briefing note prepared on behalf of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case on any date prior to May 2026, if so, when?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20438

    Question published

    Did any Minister or ministerial office receive a copy of a briefing note prepared on behalf of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case on any date prior to May 2026, if so, when?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20443

    Question published

    Did any member or former member of his Office provide Hon Judith Collins with a copy of a document produced by Fonterra and Z Energy containing a specific, drafted amendment to the Climate Change Response Act, if so, on what date?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20444

    Question published

    Did any member or former member of his Office provide any member of Hon Judith Collins’ Office with a copy of a document produced by Fonterra and Z Energy containing a specific, drafted amendment to the Climate Change Response Act, if so, who?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20445

    Question published

    Did any member or former member of his Office provide any member of Hon Judith Collins’ Office with a copy of a document produced by Fonterra and Z Energy containing a specific, drafted amendment to the Climate Change Response Act, if so, on what date?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20535

    Question published

    Has he asked his Chief of Staff whether the staff member in his office who received the briefing from Z Energy and Fonterra leave his office before or after he responded to the Official Information Act request that didn’t include the information his office had received?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20540

    Question published

    Did the staff member in his office who received the briefing from Z Energy and Fonterra leave his office before or after he responded to the Official Information Act request that didn’t include the information his office had received?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20557

    Question published

    Did his former Chief Policy Advisor have any input on legislation amending the Climate Change Response Act, if so, what are the titles of those Bills or Acts?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20558

    Question published

    Did his former Chief Policy Advisor have any input on Cabinet Papers amending the Climate Change Response Act, if so, what are the titles and dates of those Cabinet Papers?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20561

    Question published

    Have officials in his office had meetings with any of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case since July 2024, if so, what was those officials roles?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20562

    Question published

    Have officials in his office had meetings with any of the defendants in the Smith v Fonterra case since July 2024, if so, on what date?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20563

    Question published

    On what date did his Chief of Staff become aware that his former Chief Policy Advisor had met with representatives of Fonterra and Z Energy to discuss the Smith v Fonterra High Court case?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20564

    Question published

    On what date did he first become aware that his former Chief Policy Advisor had met with representatives of Fonterra and Z Energy to discuss the Smith v Fonterra High Court case?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20565

    Question published

    Did he approve his former Chief Policy Advisor to meet with representatives of Fonterra and Z Energy to discuss the Smith v Fonterra High Court case?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20566

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Z Energy in 2026, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20567

    Question published

    Did his Chief of Staff approve his former Chief Policy Advisor to meet with representatives of Fonterra and Z Energy to discuss the Smith v Fonterra High Court case?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20568

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Fonterra in 2026, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20569

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Z Energy in 2025, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20570

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Fonterra in 2025, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20571

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Z Energy in 2024, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Deborah Russell

    List MP · Labour Party

    20572

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor meet with representatives of Fonterra in 2024, and for each of these occasions, who initiated the meeting?

  • Asked by

    Duncan Webb

    Member for Christchurch Central · Labour Party

    24268

    Question published

    If the briefing document from Fonterra and Z Energy that made suggestions for a potential law change recieved by a staffer in the Prime Minister's Office in mid-2024 does not still exist does the Prime Minister or anyone in his office know what happened to it; if so what did happen to it?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Duncan Webb

    Member for Christchurch Central · Labour Party

    24269

    Question published

    Does the briefing document from Fonterra and Z Energy that made suggestions for a potential law change recieved by a staffer in the Prime Minister's Office in mid-2024 still exist?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Duncan Webb

    Member for Christchurch Central · Labour Party

    25035

    Question published

    Has a search been undertaken for the original physical document provided by Z Energy and Fonterra to chief policy adviser Matt Burgess; if so what was the nature and extent of that search?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Duncan Webb

    Member for Christchurch Central · Labour Party

    25037

    Question published

    Was the meeting with chief policy adviser Matt Burgess and employees of Fonterra and Z Energy recorded in the calendar/diary of Mr Burgess; if so what calendar / diary did it appear in (eg outlook / google / paper) and was it a parliamentary or personal calendar / diary?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Duncan Webb

    Member for Christchurch Central · Labour Party

    25038

    Question published

    How many emails relating to parliamentary business were sent to the personal email address of chief policy adviser Matt Burgess for the period of employment in the Prime Minister's Office?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25286

    Question published

    Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25288

    Question published

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to recover them?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25289

    Question published

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25294

    Question published

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to recover them?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25295

    Question published

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25297

    Question published

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or logged; if so, how many since 27 November 2023?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25303

    Question published

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or logged; if so, how many since 27 November 2023?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25394

    Question published

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to recover them?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25398

    Question published

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    25404

    Question published

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or logged; if so, how many since 27 November 2023?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25792

    Question published

    On what date, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor first inform any member of his office that he had received a document from Fonterra and Z Energy regarding the Smith v Fonterra case, and who was the member of his office who was informed of this?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25795

    Question published

    On what date, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor first inform him that he had received a document from Fonterra and Z Energy regarding the Smith v Fonterra case?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25799

    Question published

    Was his office first made aware by Fonterra that documents relating to the Smith v Fonterra case were provided to his former Chief Policy Advisor's personal email?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25800

    Question published

    Has any member of his office asked his former Chief Policy Advisor whether he gave Fonterra, Z Energy or any other external party permission or instructions to send official material to his private email address?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25801

    Question published

    Has he asked his former Chief Policy Advisor whether he gave Fonterra, Z Energy or any other external party permission or instructions to send official material to his private email address?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25802

    Question published

    On what date, if any, did any member of his office ask his former Chief Policy Advisor to provide a complete list of every occasion on which official documents, briefings, or communications were sent to or from his private email address during his time in the role?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25804

    Question published

    Has any member of his office asked his former Chief Policy Advisor why the Fonterra briefing document on the Smith v Fonterra case was sent to and received via his private email address rather than through official government channels, if so, what was the response?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25805

    Question published

    On what date, if any, did he ask his former Chief Policy Advisor to provide a complete list of every occasion on which official documents, briefings, or communications were sent to or from his private email address during his time in the role?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25806

    Question published

    Has he asked his former Chief Policy Advisor why the Fonterra briefing document on the Smith v Fonterra case was sent to and received via his private email address rather than through official government channels, if so, what was the response?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25807

    Question published

    On what dates, if any, do the diaries of his Chief Policy Advisor show that he met with representatives of Fonterra or Z Energy between 1 December 2023 and 31 October 2025?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25808

    Question published

    On what dates, not already specified in the proactive release of his ministerial diaries, if any, did he meet with representatives Fonterra or Z Energy and what was the purpose of those meetings?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25809

    Question published

    Has he discussed the Fonterra v Smith Case with representatives of Fonterra or Z Energy at any time since 1 December 2023 and if so, on what dates?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25812

    Question published

    Has any member of his office asked his former Chief Policy Advisor how many times, if any, he used a personal email address to conduct official business, if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25813

    Question published

    Has his Chief of Staff asked his former Chief Policy Advisor how many times, if any, he used a personal email address to conduct official business, if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25815

    Question published

    Has he asked his former Chief Policy Advisor how many times, if any, he used a personal email address to conduct official business, if not, why not?

    Original response/referral lodged:

  • Asked by

    Chris Hipkins

    Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

    25817

    Question published

    On how many occasions, if any, did his former Chief Policy Advisor use a personal email address to conduct official business?

    Original response/referral lodged:

Answered by

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon

Member for Botany · National Party · Prime Minister

Answer

I am advised that there have been a number of interactions between staff in my office and representatives of Fonterra and/or Z Energy regarding the Smith v Fonterra case. - Meeting - as has been reported publicly, there were meetings between Fonterra and/or Z Energy and a former staff member regarding the Smith v Fonterra case. My staff and I first became aware of these meetings through media queries to my office on 22 May 2026. o As has been reported publicly, this meeting, and any hard-copy information provided in it, was not released in an Official Information Act response to Dr Hall in May 2025. o My office has no record of receiving the 2024 briefing note nor do we have any record of any meetings the former staff member may have had. I am advised there is no record of the briefing note been passed on to any other minister, ministerial office, staff member or officials. o Further to this, we have been advised that the information provided in hard copy in this meeting was also sent from a Fonterra staff member to a former Beehive staff member’s private email account. This does not meet the standards expected of staff in the Beehive and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves o The Department of Internal Affairs is conducting a review of the former staff member’s IT account to ensure there are no further documents or meetings relating to the Smith v Fonterra case that should be released, and will work with the individual to identify whether there are any other work-related documents on their private email that should be on the public record. Separately, the Ombudsman has initiated its own review into how this OIA release was handled. o Using private email to share official information undermines transparency and public trust. It remains appropriate for interested parties to talk to Ministers and their staff on policy matters, but it is imperative that information is appropriately recorded and transparent. That did not happen here. o The former staff member was jointly employed by Ministerial Services and Parliamentary Services. They have not worked in the Prime Minister’s Office since October last year, and have not worked at Parliament since January. Their departure was unrelated to this matter. There have also been a number of other interactions: - Phone call – Haley Mortimer and Cameron Burrows in 2025. Ms Mortimer indicated Z-Energy’s interest in the Smith vs Fonterra litigation. My Chief of Staff indicated he was aware of the issue but wasn’t aware of what was happening. - Meeting – Wayne Eagleson and Cameron Burrows – 29/09/2025. As part of a broader discussion Mr Eagleson indicated he was doing work on the Smith vs Fonterra case. He indicated Z-Energy was struggling to get responses from Ministers on the issue. My Chief of Staff indicated that he was aware of the issue but wasn’t aware of what was happening. Wayne indicated he would likely ask Haley Mortimer to reach out to my Chief of Staff to see if they could meet with the appropriate Ministers to discuss the issue. - Email - 16/10/2025 from Haley Mortimer to Cameron Burrows. Member from my office and officials from DPMC have had meetings with the defendants to discuss a range of issues since 27 November 2023. - A staff member received a phone call from Fonterra on 22 May 2026 relating to a media query about the Smith v Fonterra proceedings. My office had also received media queries about the proceedings. Staff members in my office are involved in discussions with other ministerial offices about policy proposals. Decisions on the content of Cabinet papers and legislative amendments are the responsibility of the portfolio Cabinet Minister and ultimately the Cabinet. Within the Government’s first 100 days, the Attorney-General had briefed Cabinet on the Smith v Fonterra case based on advice from Crown Law, expressing her view that legislating a statutory bar on climate change tort proceedings to be the most straightforward response. To the best of my knowledge I have had no discussions regarding the Smith v Fonterra case with Fonterra or Z Energy.