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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)?

Answered Question 9393 (2026)
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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • 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)?

Answered by

Hon Dr Shane Reti

Member for Whangārei · National Party · Minister for Pacific Peoples

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (the Ministry), that since the 2020/21 financial year, the Ministry’s total external legal costs (excluding GST) are as follows: • 2020/21 FY – $13,472.00 • 2021/22 FY – $44,462.00 • 2022/23 FY - $101,426.00 • 2023/24 FY - $187,168.00 • 2024/25 FY - $28,924.00 • 2025/26 FY - $60,880.00 (up to 23 March 2026) While total external legal expenditure is available, a breakdown by the nature of legal work is not held centrally and is further limited by legal privilege and the confidential nature of some matters.