Skip to main content

Written questions

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

Filters
Asked by Debbie Ngarewa-Packer · Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori
Minister All Ministers
Portfolio All portfolios
Question published between

Dates refer to when the question was published, and are inclusive.

Clear all filters

Showing 201 to 250 of 307 written question sets.

Answered

Question 14057 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What specific plans, if any, are in place to ensure rural, Māori, and isolated communities are protected during fuel shortages?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Fuel disruption planning under the Fuel Response Plan 2026 applies nationally including to rural and isolated communities. MBIE works with fuel suppliers, emergency management agencies, and regional stakeholders to monitor distribution…

Answered

Question 14058 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Government modelled how distributed energy could reduce exposure to global fuel shocks, if so, what are the findings?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment advises that no modelling has been undertaken on how distributed energy resources could reduce exposure to global fuel shocks.

Answered

Question 14059 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What proportion of New Zealand households, if any, could be supported to adopt rooftop solar to reduce fuel demand?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that it is a decision for each individual household to take - important factors to consider include electricity consumption as well as geographic location and power prices. This Government has been actively working to remove…

Answered

Question 14060 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much investment, if any, has been made into domestic energy resilience, including solar, battery storage, and microgrids?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

The Government has committed $28 million from the Community Renewable Energy Fund, $14 million from the Māori Housing Renewable Energy Fund and $2.5 million to support a combination of Māori housing, community-based or demonstration…

Answered

Question 14061 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the Government's long-term plan to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The 2025 Fuel Security Plan sets out the Government's medium to long term strategy for improving New Zealand's fuel resilience. The Fuel Security Study identified accelerating the energy transition, and thereby reducing import dependency,…

Answered

Question 14063 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What alternative fuel supply routes or supplier agreements, if any, are in place if the Strait of Hormuz route is compromised?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

New Zealand has five fuel importers who import majority of refined fuel from Asia, with over 90 per cent of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel sourced from refineries in the region. While many Asian refineries source a significant share of their…

Answered

Question 14064 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What percentage, if any, of New Zealand's fuel imports transit through or are affected by the Strait of Hormuz?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

No proportion of New Zealand's fuel imports physically transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, around 90 per cent of New Zealand's fuel is sourced from Asia, and a significant share of the crude oil processed by Asian refineries…

Answered

Question 14065 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Government consider current fuel storage levels adequate in the event of a geopolitical crisis, if so, why?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

New Zealand has the minimum stockholding obligations that require fuel importers to hold 28 days' cover for petrol, 24 days' cover for jet fuel and 21 days' cover for diesel, alongside fuel held across the supply chain and international…

Answered

Question 14066 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What immediate relief measures, if any, will the Government implement to protect whānau from rising fuel and food costs?

Answered by

Hon Nicola Willis

List MP · National Party · Minister of Finance

Answer

I refer the Member to the following press releases: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/50-week-lower-income-working-families https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/1-april-boost-superannuitants-families-and-other-kiwis

Answered

Question 14067 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the projected increase, if any, in fuel prices for New Zealand households if oil through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

The Government has a range of work underway to improve the reliability and affordability of New Zealand energy, which will reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. We are growing domestic renewable energy production through measures such…

Answered

Question 14068 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What modelling, if any, has been done on a worst-case fuel supply disruption scenario?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The government undertakes scenario planning as part of its security and emergency preparedness work. The 2025 Fuel Security Study modelled a severe disruption where the supply of fuel to New Zealand is completely unavailable for an…

Answered

Question 14069 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How long could New Zealand maintain essential services under a sustained global fuel supply shock?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The Fuel Response Plan (2026) is designed to prioritise fuel supply for essential services for as long as practicable during a disruption. The duration for which essential services can be supported depends on the scale, severity, and…

Answered

Question 14070 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What contingency plans, if any, are in place if two or more scheduled fuel shipments are delayed or disrupted?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is regularly talking to fuel importers through the Fuel Sector Coordinating Entity to understand upstream supply and shipping issues. Fuel companies are not reporting any widespread…

Answered

Question 14071 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which regions, if any, would be first to experience shortages under a fuel supply disruption scenario?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Fuel disruption impacts can vary depending on local demand, storage levels, transport logistics, and weather or infrastructure conditions. There is no predetermined regional sequence. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment…

Answered

11813, 13985 (2026)

Questions published
See individual question dates
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Questions

  • Asked by

    Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

    Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

    11813 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What specific actions, if any, did the Minister take within the first seven days after receiving advice from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz posed a material risk to New…

  • Asked by

    Megan Woods

    Member for Wigram · Labour Party

    13985

    Question published

    When did the Minister first receive advice that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz posed a material risk to New Zealand's fuel supply, and what was the source of that advice?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Within the first seven days of receiving advice that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz posed a material risk to New Zealand’s diesel supply, I took a broad range of actions. I sought advice from officials on the impact of the closure of…

Answered

Question 13932 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What modelling, if any, has been done on reducing fuel import costs through electrification of transport and homes?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that work to date has focused on electricity system impacts rather than modelling fuel import cost reductions directly. Electrification of transport and homes is expected to reduce demand for imported fossil fuels over time,…

Answered

Question 13934 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What funding, if any, has been allocated to rooftop solar, battery storage, and community energy systems in the past 3 years?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that the Community Renewable Energy Fund has allocated $18.06 million to 184 projects. These include a mixture of solar, battery storage and community energy systems. Through the Solar on Farms programme (launched in June 2025…

Answered

Question 13937 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many homes currently have rooftop solar installed, and what is the annual growth rate?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that according to the Electricity Authority’s distributed generation dashboard, there are 75,790 residential solar connections as at 28 February 2026. The number of homes with solar grew by 16.2% over the past year (1 March…

Answered

Question 13938 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the Government’s estimate of daily savings from electrification and renewable energy uptake, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

I am advised that this metric has not been estimated.

Answered

Question 13939 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What permanent measures, if any, is the Government taking to reduce fuel costs for households and small businesses?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

The Government is focused on structural and enduring measures to reduce fuel and energy costs over time, rather than short‑term price interventions. Key actions include strengthening fuel security through minimum fuel stockholding…

Answered

Question 13941 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What consideration, if any, has been given to temporary fuel tax relief, and what advice has been received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The government has not considered changes to fuel tax settings as this revenue is used to fund land transport infrastructure, including road construction, maintenance, public transport, and safety initiatives. Changes would also be less…

Answered

Question 13944 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much fuel tax revenue (excise + GST), if any, has the Government collected in the past 12 months?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Inland Revenue does not collect fuel excise duty. Inland Revenue does not hold information on how much GST is collected specifically on fuel as this is not itemised on returns of GST.

Answered

Question 13946 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What modelling, if any, has been done on regional fuel depletion timelines under restricted supply?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

That specific modelling has been done and the Fuel Security Study completed in February 2025 modelled a severe international supply disruption scenario.

Answered

Question 13947 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the fuel storage capacity and current stock levels for each major terminal (Marsden Point, Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin)?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The total fuel storage capacity is 1,068 million litres. Marsden Point is our major fuel terminal with around 40% our fuel passing through it. There is also significant fuel storage at Mount Maunganui (16%), Wellington (10%) and Lyttelton…

Answered

Question 13949 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What volume of fuel is contracted but not yet delivered, if any, and what are the expected delivery dates?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

As at 11:59PM 12 April, the total volume of fuel shipments that have yet to reach our shore is equivalent to 31 days' cover for petrol, 24.6 days' cover for diesel and 25.7 days' cover for jet fuel. The fuel stock data is published…

Answered

Question 13951 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the projected cost of fuel imports over the next 12 months based on current contracts or forecasts?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Supply and pricing forecasts do not typically reach out 12 months. The Middle East conflict is additionally causing significant uncertainties for the fuel markets.

Answered

Question 13953 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many days of diesel, petrol, and jet fuel supply does New Zealand currently hold onshore, by region?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Regional break downs of fuel are not available. I also note that fuel is frequently supplied from terminals in one region to customers in other regions, so regional stocks are not an accurate reflection of the resilience of regional fuel…

Answered

Question 13955 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What proportion of New Zealand’s total fuel supply is imported refined fuel, and from which countries?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Following the closure of the Marsden Point Refinery in 2022, New Zealand no longer refines petroleum products domestically. As a result, all refined petroleum products used in New Zealand are imported. Based on Stats NZ public trade…

Answered

Question 13956 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the average daily cost (NZD) of refined fuel imports over the past 12 months?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

The average daily cost of refined fuel imports (petrol, diesel, and jet fuel) between March 2025 and February 2026 was NZ$24.83m per day based on Stats NZ’s public trade statistics. Daily averages are derived by taking the total over the…

Answered

Question 13957 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total value of refined fuel imports (NZD) over the past 12 months, broken down by petrol, diesel, and jet fuel?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Between March 2025 and February 2026, New Zealand imported a total of NZ$4.2b of diesel, NZ$3.1b of petrol, and NZ$1.8b of jet fuel. Notes: • Sourced from Stats NZ trade statistics. The following HS codes when calculating these values:…

Answered

Question 13989 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What engagement, if any, has the Government had with fuel companies regarding the current fuel supply, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Officials meet with key fuel industry representatives, including importers and distributers, daily. Updates from these meetings are also received by the Ministerial Oversight Group.

Answered

Question 13990 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessments, if any, has been undertaken on the impact of diesel price increases on essential goods and services in regional communities?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

I have received advice on diesel price increases given the critical nature of diesel to New Zealand. The Fuel Security Study, available publicly, modelled the impact of diesel price increases on the economy. Officials are also undertaking…

Answered

Question 13991 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the impact of recent diesel price increases on regional freight operators, including warnings from Whanganui trucking companies that higher transport costs will be passed on to consumers?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Officials are in the process of proactively releasing paper titles on the MBIE website.

Answered

Question 13350 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many New Zealand trained doctors, if any, have been recorded as moving to Australia in the last five years, broken down by years??

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not collect this data.

Answered

Question 13351 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many specialist doctor vacancies, if any, currently exist across the country, broken down by specialty and region?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 13352 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many health worker vacancies, if any, currently exist in rural communities, broken down by region and by profession (GPs, nurses, midwives)?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not aggregate data by rural status.

Answered

Question 13353 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What actions, if any, is the Minister taking to retain medical graduates in regional primary care?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the new medical school at the University of Waikato will have a focus on those living in more rural communities and who have a specific interest in primary care. In addition, a domestic primary care pathway for medical…

Answered

Question 13354 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many doctors, if any, are currently working in rural communities, broken down by region?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not aggregate staff data by rural status consistently across districts, and therefore this information cannot be provided.

Answered

Question 13355 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What reports or briefings, if any, has the Minister received on the current state of regional fuel supply across Aotearoa, including any identified risks of disruption, reduced availability, or price volatility for rural and provincial…

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Officials are in the process of proactively releasing paper titles on the MBIE website.

Answered

Question 13147 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official reports, briefs, memos, and aide memoires, if any, has the Minister received since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources

Answer

A list of the briefings I have received from MBIE is proactively available on the MBIE website. You can access this information at https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/open-government-and-official-information/release-of-information.

Answered

Question 13148 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official reports, briefings, memos, and aide memoires, if any, has the Minister received since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

A list of the briefings I have received from MBIE is proactively available on the MBIE website. You can access this information at https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/open-government-and-official-information/release-of-information.

Answered

Question 13149 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What Cabinet papers, if any, has the Minister taken to Cabinet since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources

Answer

With the exception of Cabinet Appointments and Honours (APH) papers and minutes, all Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes must be proactively released and published online within 30 business days of final decisions being taken…

Answered

Question 13150 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What Cabinet papers, if any, has the energy minister taken to Cabinet since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister for Energy

Answer

With the exception of Cabinet Appointments and Honours (APH) papers and minutes, all Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes must be proactively released and published online within 30 business days of final decisions being taken…

Answered

Question 13151 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official reports, briefings, memos, and aide memoires, if any, has the Minister received since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

Titles of advice that I have received that support delivering access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders have been, or will be, proactively released on the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand and Pharmac websites:…

Answered

Question 13152 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What cabinet papers, if any, has the Minister taken to Cabinet since 1 January 2026, listed by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

For the period 1 January 2026 to 29 March 2026, I refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Questions 1814 (2026), 4558 (2026), 4350 (2026), 5925 (2026), 6854 (2026), 7928 (2026), 8656 (2026), 11128 (2026) and 11861 (2026). For the period…

Answered

Question 13189 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What engagement, if any, has occurred with Māori health providers or iwi-Māori partnership board regarding the loss of gastroenterology services in Palmerston North?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand's MidCentral leadership regularly meet with the local iwi-Māori Partnership Board to keep it updated on a range of issues across the district, including gastroenterology services.

Answered

Question 13197 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What steps, if any, is the Government taking to reduce the need for patients to travel outside their region for MRI scans?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand is currently developing a Radiology Access Plan to identify where it needs to improve access to MRI scans.

Answered

Question 12835 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What steps, if any, are being taken to recruit gastroenterologists to Palmerston North Hospital?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that MidCentral district is continuing recruitment efforts for permanent gastroenterologists, using the resources of the national recruitment team. A national gastroenterology awareness campaign in the UK and US is underway…

Answered

Question 12836 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many patients, if any, are currently on the gastroenterology waitlist in the MidCentral region?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that as of 8 April 2026, MidCentral has 279 patients waiting for a gastroenterology first specialist assessment and 932 patients waiting for an endoscopy procedure.

Answered

Question 12837 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer

Member for Te Tai Hauāuru · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessments, if any, have been completed on the clinical risks associated with delays in gastroenterology diagnosis or treatment in the MidCentral region?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that clinical risks have been assessed and reviewed in line with Health New Zealand policy, and included on the Risk Register.