Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 501 to 550 of 2089 written question sets.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(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
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Racing
None.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does Ferry Holdings maintain a register of directors' interests, if so, are any entries contained relating to Greg Lowe's former roles as group chief executive of Beca and managing director of Beca Australia?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings has assured us that a register of directors' interest is maintained and that Mr Lowe has consistently declared a conflict in relation to Beca. This has been managed by Mr Lowe recusing himself from all discussions and…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has he been advised of any conflict of interest arising from Ferry Holdings director Greg Lowe's former roles as group chief executive of Beca and managing director of Beca Australia?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes. Mr Lowe was appointed in 2025 following a verification process managed by The Treasury. Mr Lowe's experience as a qualified marine engineer and as the former global head of Beca were known to Ministers as assessing a curriculum vitae…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is Ferry Holdings Limited's total forecast operating cost to 2029, and how much of the $1,704 million funding envelope remains uncommitted?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings has been approved to deliver a programme within $1.704 billion, of which approximately 20% is contingency. Ferry Holdings operational costs for the period from establishment to 2029 are forecast to be $90 million. These are…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
By what date are Port Marlborough and CentrePort required to make their respective $110 million and $100 million contributions to the portside infrastructure programme?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The ports will incur costs across the life of the programme. The member is mistaken if he thinks they are putting cash in for Ferry Holdings. They are building assets within their $110 million and $100 million budgets respectively and will…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What are the respective roles of Beca Ltd and North Projects Ltd in cost estimation and cost review for Ferry Holdings' programme, and why are both required?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
We have been advised that Beca have provided technical and specialist engineering resources on an ongoing basis since they were engaged as the technical advisor to Ferry Holdings Limited. While North Projects are a separate entity who were…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What commitment, if any, has been given by him or by Auckland Transport as to the minimum period of public notice to be given before the City Rail Link opens, and does the Government intend to honour the six-to-eight-week notice period…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I am advised that Auckland Transport previously stated publicly that approximately six-to-eight weeks’ public notice would be given before the City Rail Link opens. Just under six weeks’ notice was given when I made the announcement on 6…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why did his office state on 4 August 2026 that it was "not able to confirm the timing of any announcement" regarding the City Rail Link opening date, and what criteria, if any, must be met before that timing can be confirmed publicly?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
At that time, the timing of any announcement had not been confirmed publicly. The opening announcement followed confirmation that the remaining system testing and assurance requirements had been met.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which entity holds final authority to set and announce the opening date of the City Rail Link, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd, KiwiRail, or the Crown, and under what agreement or statutory provision does that authority sit, if any?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I am advised that there is no single statutory provision that gives one entity sole authority to set the opening date. The opening date was confirmed through the project’s governance arrangements, with delivery partners including Auckland…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has he received about the timing or manner of announcing the City Rail Link opening date, and from which agency or official did that advice come?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I have received advice on the appropriate timing and manner of announcing the City Rail Link opening date. This advice related to ensuring the announcement was made once key testing and assurance milestones had been met, and delivery…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What issues, if any, were identified during the City Rail Link dress rehearsal held over Matariki weekend 2026 that could affect the timing of the opening?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I am advised that no new issues were identified during the Thursday 9 July dress rehearsal held over Matariki weekend. There were, however, known issues already being worked on at the time of the rehearsal. The rehearsal was a valuable…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What regulatory approvals, if any, remain outstanding before passenger services can commence on the City Rail Link, and which agency is responsible for granting each?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I am advised that under the Railways Act 2005, for passenger services to commence, variations to the Safety Cases of KiwiRail and Auckland One Rail must be approved by the Director of Land Transport. This is expected to be complete in time…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date, if any, was he first advised that Sunday 13 September 2026 was under consideration as the City Rail Link opening date?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
I was advised that 13 September 2026 (along with other potential opening dates) was under consideration as the opening date for the City Rail Link in April 2026.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What opening dates for the City Rail Link, if any, have been proposed to him or his office by Auckland Transport, City Rail Link Ltd, or KiwiRail since 1 January 2025; what were those dates, and on what date was each proposed?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
A range of possible opening dates, based on project completion and operational readiness timelines, were discussed with me. However no opening date was proposed to me, until project partners achieved sufficient confidence to recommend…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
When does he expect passenger services to begin on Auckland's City Rail Link, and if no opening date has yet been confirmed, what is the reason?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
Passenger services will begin on 13 September 2026.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what dates since 1 January 2026 has he or his office been briefed, orally or in writing, on cost pressures in the ferry replacement programme, if at all?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Since 1 January 2026, not a day has gone by that we have not considered the inexplicable cost pressures in the ferry replacement programme under Project iReX.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many items of correspondence concerning project costs or budget pressures, if any, have been exchanged between his office and Ferry Holdings Limited since 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
All items of correspondence between Ferry Holdings and the Minister for Rail's office ultimately concern project costs and budget pressures as Ferry Holdings was established to manage project costs and budget pressures. Where possible,…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has any procurement probity auditor engaged by Ferry Holdings raised concerns about any procurement; if so, what were they and how were they resolved?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
No.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has he received any advice from Treasury on Ferry Holdings' compliance with the Government Procurement Rules; if so, on what dates?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes, Treasury advice regarding Ferry Holdings received on the following dates referred to the Government Procurement Rules: 6 November 2025, 1 July 2026.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did any procurement decisions relating to the ferry replacement programme not comply with government procurement rules ; if so, which decisions?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
We understand Ferry Holdings proactively commenced a review into its procurement practices in May 2026, and this is ongoing. We will be updated in due course.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What exemptions from the Government Procurement Rules has Ferry Holdings relied on since establishment, if any, and on what grounds in each case?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Ferry Holdings has followed the Government Procurement Rules including taking decisions for exemptions where a fair basis has been established. The specific detail of each exemption is not information held by a shareholding Minister and…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is Ferry Holdings Limited a mandated agency for the purposes of the Government Procurement Rules; if so, how many opportunities has it advertised and how many contract award notices has it published on GETS?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Yes. Contact award notices and opportunities published on GETS can be found here: https://www.gets.govt.nz/
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did Greg Lowe participate in any board discussion, decision or resolution relating to Ferry Holdings' engagement of Beca Ltd?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
No. Mr Lowe has rescued himself from Board discussions and decisions on the contract matters you refer to, as he has done on all board consideration of matters regarding Beca.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What was the original value of Beca Ltd's engagement with Ferry Holdings at the time it was entered into, and how many times has it been varied or increased since?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
The original contract was for $950,000 and has been varied three times since.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was Beca Ltd's engagement with Ferry Holdings openly advertised, closed tender, or directly appointed?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
A closed tender procurement process was undertaken.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much has Ferry Holdings Limited paid or committed to Beca Ltd, and for what services?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Beca has a total contract value of $3,401,000 for specialist techincal advice.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much has Ferry Holdings spent on recruitment agencies and labour hire since 5 March 2025?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Please refer to the attached table.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many separate contractor, consultant, professional services or legal providers has Ferry Holdings engaged since 5 March 2025?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Attached is a table providing these details. For legal costs please refer to page 12 of FHL’s SPE: https://www.ferryholdings.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SPE2627-003.pdf
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What was Ferry Holdings' budgeted consultant expenditure for 2025/26, and what was actual expenditure?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Budgeted and actual expenditure will be made available in Ferry Holdings' annual report.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the total amount Ferry Holdings Limited has paid or committed to contractors, consultants, professional services and legal advisers since its establishment on 5 March 2025?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Rail
Refer to the ressponse to WPQ 35243 (2026).
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated impact on National Land Transport Fund revenue in 2026/27 and 2027/28 if the 12 cents per litre increase does not proceed on 1 January 2027?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
The impact on National Land Transport Fund revenue would depend on whether the planned 1 January 2027 Fuel Excise Duty increase is deferred and for how long.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has he received advice from officials on the latest practicable date for a decision on the fuel excise duty increase scheduled for 1 January 2027; if so, on what date did he receive that advice, and what date was identified?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
The most recent advice I have received was on 7 August 2026. This advice identified that a decision is needed by 31 August 2026, in order to inform the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has Cabinet taken any decision since Budget 2026 to defer, reduce, or cancel the 12 cents per litre increase in fuel excise duty scheduled for 1 January 2027; if so, on what date was that decision taken?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
No Cabinet decision has been taken since the decision to return to the previous practice of regular fuel excise duty and road user charge increases from January 2027, as part of the Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
By what date must an Order in Council amending the Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table under the Customs and Excise Act 2018 be made in order for any change to fuel excise duty rates to take effect on 1 January 2027?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
An Order in Council cannot be used to amend the current fuel excise duty rate for it to take effect on 1 January 2027. Under the Customs and Excise Act 2018, fuel excise duty rates may only be amended by Order in Council in the second or…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date, if any, will Cabinet make a final decision on whether to proceed with the 12 cents per litre increase in fuel excise duty scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
Cabinet will make a decision in due course.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How will decisions on future City and Regional Deals be sequenced against the local government reorganisation timetable running to the 2028 local elections, if at all?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which regions, if any, have been advised that they are not eligible for a City and Regional Deal, and on what grounds?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals or eligability for future deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice has been received on whether further City and Regional Deals should be signed before the general election on 7 November 2026, and what convention applies to entering long-term intergovernmental agreements during the…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The process for negotiating and agreeing Deals is complex and involves several preceding steps. The Government will announce what the next stages of the programme will look like in due course.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What estimate does the Government hold of the fiscal cost of extending City and Regional Deals to every region in New Zealand, if any?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As the cost of any deal depends on the proposal and what is negotiated, it is not possible to give an estimate, as not every region has proposed a deal and been selected to undertake negotiations with the government.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why does the South Island have only one region in the first tranche of City and Regional Deals, and what assessment has been made of the geographic distribution of the programme, if any?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Because three deals were announced as part of the first tranche of city and regional deals. Assessment of which deals to progress was not based on geographic location.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the current status of any proposal for a City and Regional Deal covering Christchurch and Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, Northland, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, the West Coast, Southland…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What consideration has been given to a Rotorua-Taupō City and Regional Deal, if any, and what is the current status of that proposal?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What consideration has been given to a City and Regional Deal for the Eastern Bay of Plenty covering the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau districts, and what is the current status of that proposal?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which regions or councils have written to Ministers seeking a City and Regional Deal since 1 July 2025, and what response was given in each case?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No proposals for new Deals have been received. Decisions on the next phase of City and Regional Deals have not yet been made.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
When will the Government open a further round of City and Regional Deals, how many regions will be invited to participate, and what selection criteria will apply?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Will the asset recycling and Crown uplift model used in the Western Bay of Plenty Deal be made available to other regions, and if so, which regions have expressed interest in using it?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No decisions have been made on a further round of City and Regional Deals.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What analysis supports the estimate that the Western Bay of Plenty Deal will enable capacity for around 15,000 new homes, and over what period are those dwellings expected to be consented and built?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Deal provides for a refreshed Western Bay of Plenty Sub Regional spatial plan under the new resource management system. The work on the location, quantum, timing and staging of the residential growth areas is part of the development of…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What commitments has Health New Zealand made under the Western Bay of Plenty Deal, if any, which facilities do they relate to, and what is the estimated cost of each?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Health New Zealand's commitments under the Western Bay of Plenty Deal are set out in Schedule 1 of the publicly available Western Bay of Plenty Deal. These commitments build on Health New Zealand's and the Sub Region’s commitment to work…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated capital cost of the Katikati Bypass, which asset sales are proposed to fund it, and by what date is it expected to be delivered?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Transport
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has advised me there is no current estimated capital cost or delivery date for the Katikati Bypass. The Western Bay of Plenty Deal includes an initiative for the Western Bay of Plenty Sub Region to…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What does the phrase "local asset recycling plus a Crown uplift" mean in practice under the Western Bay of Plenty Deal, which council assets have been identified for sale, and what uplift rate has been agreed or modelled?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Further work will be undertaken as part of the implementation planning.