What external legal costs, if any, were incurred by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible in each financial year since 2020/21, broken down by department or entity and by the nature of the legal work (litigation, commercial advice, employment matters, Treaty matters, or other)?

Answer

For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I refer the Member to my response to WPQ 13655 (2025). I am advised that the Asia New Zealand Foundation has not incurred any relevant expenditure. For Antarctica New Zealand, expenditure across the specified financial years is as follows: In 2020/21, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice totalled NZ$215,000, with core business commercial advice of NZ$25,000 and employment‑related costs of NZ$17,000. In 2021/22, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice was NZ$179,000, Antarctic Science Platform commercial advice NZ$1,000, core business commercial advice NZ$21,000, and employment matters NZ$1,000. In 2022/23, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice was NZ$136,000, Antarctic Science Platform NZ$3,000, and core business commercial advice NZ$27,000. In 2023/24, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice totalled NZ$134,000, Antarctic Science Platform NZ$8,000, and core business commercial advice NZ$8,000. In 2024/25, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice amounted to NZ$568,000, Antarctic Science Platform NZ$79,000, core business commercial advice NZ$48,000, Scott Base Redevelopment employment matters NZ$9,000, and core business employment matters NZ$37,000. In 2025/26, Scott Base Redevelopment commercial advice totalled NZ$171,000, Antarctic Science Platform NZ$8,000, core business commercial advice NZ$11,000, and employment matters NZ$21,000.