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Written questions

Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.

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Asked by Camilla Belich · List MP · Labour Party
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Showing 51 to 100 of 4916 written question sets.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What are the terms of reference for the investigation being conducted by Kristy McDonald KC into concerns about Dr Stephen Rainbow's conduct as Chief Human Rights Commissioner?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The terms of reference require that the investigator: • Will investigate the concerns raised by the other Commissioners; • Will report to the Minister of Justice on any findings about whether those concerns are established; • Will advise…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister of Justice intend to appeal the High Court's December 2025 ruling on the Human Rights Commission, and if so, by what date must any appeal be filed?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much has the Ministry of Justice or the Crown spent, to date, on legal costs defending the judicial review proceedings that resulted in the High Court's December 2025 finding that Dr Rainbow's and Dr Derby's appointments were unlawful?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The government’s legal costs in defending that case were $70,326.20 (excl GST) in legal fees, plus a costs contribution to the plaintiff of $23,183.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did the ACT Party, or any of its MPs, nominate, recommend, or otherwise put forward Dr Stephen Rainbow as a candidate for Chief Human Rights Commissioner before his appointment was announced on 16 August 2024, and if so, when and through…

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to reply 72537 (2024).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When did the Minister of Justice invite coalition partner parties to nominate candidates for the three Human Rights Commission leadership roles filled in August 2024, and which parties, if any, put forward nominations, and for which roles?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The invitation to the coalition parties to submit nominations for three positions on the Human Rights Commission was sent out on 18 December 2023. One nomination for the Chief Human Rights Commissioner position was subsequently received…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Who, if any, within the ACT Party, including but not limited to the Party Leader and any ACT MP, communicated with the Minister of Justice or his office regarding Dr Stephen Rainbow's candidacy, nomination, or appointment as Chief Human…

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to replies 82338 (2024), 72537 (2024), 82341 (2024), 76513 (2024), 72543 (2024) and 51983 (2024).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What were the dates and nature of all communications between the Minister of Justice's office and Dr Stephen Rainbow between 1 January 2024 and 16 August 2024, the date his appointment as Chief Human Rights Commissioner was announced?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to replies 82338 (2024), 72537 (2024), 82341 (2024), 76513 (2024), 72543 (2024) and 51983 (2024).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 12511 (2026).

Unanswered: Parliament dissolved

Question 37518 (2026)

Question published

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

No reply received

Parliament dissolved: no reply received

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I received the following advice: • 17 August 2026 – Aide memoire: Real Estate Authority board meeting – 19 August 2026 • 19 August 2026 – Paper: 2026/27 Estimates Debate Pack • 20 August 2026 – Aide memoire: AML/CFT Class Exemptions:…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to attachment 1. I have received nine further documents, but I believe it would prejudice the orderly and effective conduct of government decision making processes to release the titles at this time.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 12734 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister sought or received any advice from the Cabinet Office, Ministerial Services, the Chief Archivist, or any other agency regarding her obligations in respect of official information or public records held in private email…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

Yes. On 9 April 2025 my office received a communication from the Cabinet Office reminding all Ministers that, as far as possible, personal email accounts and phone numbers should not be used to conduct ministerial business. On 9 June 2026…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister undertake or commission a search of her private email account, including the more than 31,600 unread emails referred to in her reply to written question 25138 (2026), to identify any correspondence from companies,…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

No. Undertaking or commissioning a comprehensive search of this inbox would require substantial time and resources and would divert my staff from their core duties. I do not consider the time required nor the resulting expense to be…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister, or any staff member in her office, provided a private email address to any company, lobbyist, or other third party for the purpose of correspondence relating to her ministerial responsibilities since 27 November 2023; if…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister, or any staff member in her office, provided a private email address to any company, lobbyist, or other third party for the purpose of correspondence relating to her ministerial responsibilities since 27 November 2023; if…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What systems, policies, or procedures, if any, are in place in the Minister's office to ensure that correspondence relating to ministerial responsibilities received at private email accounts is transferred to official systems and retained…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

The established practice in my office is that appropriate ministerial email accounts are used for ministerial business. If correspondence relating to ministerial responsibilities was to be received through a private email account, the…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What steps, if any, did the Minister take to verify the accuracy of her reply to written question 25138 (2026) before it was lodged, and did those steps include any search or review of her private email account?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

Before lodging the reply, I checked the unread email count displayed for my private email account and reported the figure shown at that time.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister, since 27 November 2023, read any correspondence in a private email account from a company, lobbyist, or other third party relating to her ministerial responsibilities; if so, how many such items, and was each forwarded to…

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to Reply 25138 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 12511 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I received the following advice: • 14 August 2026 – Cabinet Paper: Ministerial consultation on the New Arms Regulations and Arms Orders • 14 August 2026 – Briefing: Ministerial consultation on the New Arms Regulations and Arms Orders • 14…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to attachment 1. I have received five further documents, but I believe it would prejudice the orderly and effective conduct of government decision making processes to release the titles at this time.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 10 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 10 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I took the following paper to Cabinet: • 10 August 2026: Firearms Safety and Education NZ - Chief Executive Appointment

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 10 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I took the following papers to Cabinet: • 10 August 2026 – Firearms Licensing Review Committee: Appointments • 10 August 2026 – Minister's Arms Advisory Group: Appointment • 10 August 2026 – Real Estate Agents Authority: Appointment of…

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 36151 (matches this search)

    What dollar amount has the Electoral Commission estimated as the total cost of removing same-day enrolments, and making the last day for enrolment the 25 October 2026 for the 2026 General Election, if any?

  • 36152 (matches this search)

    What dollar amount has the Electoral Commission estimated as the total cost of removing same-day enrolments and enrolments by 25 October 2026, if any?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission has allocated $4.2m of baseline funding to implement the earlier roll closure. This includes funding administration, IT, community education, advertising, call centre, and enrolment costs.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 3 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 12511 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 3 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 3 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I received the following advice: • 6 August 2026 – Briefing: Pre-election Baseline Update Submission for Vote Justice • 7 August 2026 – Weekly Report: Weekly Report (Justice, Associate Justice and Courts) I have received eleven further…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 3 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to attachment 1. I have received 14 further documents, but I believe it would prejudice the orderly and effective conduct of government decision making processes to release the titles at this time.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 3 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 3 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Nicole McKee

List MP · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Justice

Answer

I took the following paper to Cabinet: • 5 August 2026: Firearms Safety and Education NZ - Chief Executive Appointment

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 3 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Electoral Commission review the electoral changes passed in December 2025 and their impact, if so, when?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The Electoral Commission (the Commission) must report on the administration of the general election in accordance with the requirements of section 8 of the Electoral Act 1993, which includes a review of the services provided to electors to…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What resources have the Electoral Commission allocated to ensuring people are enrolled to vote and is it more than previous Budget?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

To ensure people are enrolled to vote, the Commission has an Enrolment Strategy. I am advised the Commission’s Enrolment Strategy provides access to trusted and timely information for the public through a variety of channels, and regular…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What work, if any, are the Electoral Commission doing to ensure people enrol prior to October?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The Electoral Commission (the Commission) will be undertaking a public education programme starting 10 August encouraging people to enrol or update their details by 4 October to make voting easy at the voting place. Information will…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why is the Electoral Commission not recording the number of individuals who attempt to vote but are turned away?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission (the Commission) records if someone has voted but will not be counting how many people come to a voting place but do not vote. People leave voting places for various reasons without voting. The…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is it a requirement to have an EasyVote card to vote in the 2026 General Election?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the answer is no.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What agencies provide information to the Electoral Commission for data-matching purposes?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

The Electoral Commission has confirmed that they have received data from NZTA and DIA under section 263B of the Act for data matching purposes ahead of the General Election. I am advised that under sections 263A and 263B of the Electoral…

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 35046 (matches this search)

    How many individuals have the Electoral Commission identified via data matching and subsequently notified as needing to “update your details or get touch within 14 days, you’ll need re-enrol before you can vote in future elections”, if…

  • 35048 (matches this search)

    How many individuals have been wrongly data matched since December 2025 to date and been advised that “if you don’t update your details or get touch within 14 days, you’ll need re-enrol before you can vote in future elections”, if any,…

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission has not yet conducted data matching for enrolment purposes under section 263B of the Electoral Act 1993.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many individuals are required to re-enrol for the 2026 general election, broken down by reasons and by each electorate/roll?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission cannot confirm the number of electors who need to re-enrol for the 2026 General Election, broken down by reason, as this information is not collected when a person completes an application to…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What instances can cause someone to be removed from the electoral roll, if any?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised a person can be removed from the electoral rolls for the following reasons: • They are no longer eligible because of the time they have been outside of New Zealand • They have moved overseas and no longer want to be registered…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many emails has the Electoral Commission sent to individuals in 2026 advising “if you don’t update your details or get touch within 14 days, you’ll need re-enrol before you can vote in future elections”, if any, and how does the…

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission sends an email prompting electors, where they have provided an email address, to make sure their details are correct when electoral correspondence is returned because it cannot be delivered to the…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many texts has the Electoral Commission sent to individuals in 2026 advising “if you don’t update your details or get touch within 14 days, you’ll need re-enrol before you can vote in future elections”, if any, and how does the compare…

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I am advised that the Electoral Commission sends a text message prompting electors, where they have provided a mobile number, to make sure their details are up to date when electoral correspondence is returned because it cannot be…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many children and young people, if any, have been convicted of 3+ offences in one year, with one of those offences being for an offence with a maximum penalty of 7 years imprisonment, between 2017 to date, if any?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Justice

Answer

I refer the Member to Table 1, attached.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 27 July 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 12511 (2026).