What was the total value of financial settlements, compensation payments, or ex gratia payments relating to sexual harassment in each calendar year since 2015 in relation to any staff, employees, secondees, contractors, or office holders for whom the Minister has responsibility in connection with the portfolio, if any?

Answer

I am advised by Oranga Tamariki that to provide the total value of settlements, compensation payments or ex gratia payments regarding sexual harassment, broken down in the requested format over a 10-year period would require substantial collation as the information is not held centrally, and undertaking this task would divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speakers’ Ruling 199-3, I consider that the time, and hence expense, of answering this question in the timeframe allowed for written parliamentary questions, is not in the public interest.