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Asked by Ayesha Verrall · List MP · Labour Party
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Showing 801 to 850 of 1569 written question sets.

Answered

Question 27925 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many of the internationally qualified nurses who commenced employment with Health New Zealand in each of the last five financial years, had ceased employment with Health New Zealand within 12 months, and within 24 months, of their…

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 27926 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many nurses ceased employment with Health New Zealand in each of the last five financial years, broken down by whether the nurse held a New Zealand or an internationally obtained nursing qualification?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised Health New Zealand does not hold this information centrally, and that providing the Member with this information would require Health NZ to undertake a substantial manual collation and verification exercise and divert staff…

Answered

Question 27928 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many nurses did Health New Zealand recruit in each of the last five financial years, broken down by whether the nurse held a New Zealand nursing qualification or an internationally obtained nursing qualification?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised Health New Zealand does not hold this information centrally, and that providing the Member with this information would require Health NZ to undertake a substantial manual collation and verification exercise and divert staff…

Answered

Question 27948 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19839 (2026), does the Ministry of Social Development set, or operate to, any maximum or target number of Emergency Housing suppliers in the Canterbury region or nationally; if so, what is that figure and on whose advice…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I refer the member to my response to Written Parliamentary Question 19839 (2026).

Answered

Question 27949 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19839 (2026), what does the Ministry mean when it states it is "at capacity for Emergency Housing suppliers," and how is that capacity determined?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I refer the member to my response to Written Parliamentary Question 19839 (2026).

Answered

Question 27950 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19834 (2026), what is the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development's best current estimate of the number of people sleeping rough in or near the former residential red zone in Christchurch's eastern suburbs, and when was…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

As I noted in my response to WPQ 19834 (2026), I am advised that the number of people sleeping rough in or near the red zone in Christchurch fluctuates. I am further advised that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development understands…

Answered

27951, 27953, 27956 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 27951 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19839 (2026), given the Minister's advice that the Ministry "does not contract Emergency Housing Suppliers," on what basis can a prospective supplier be "declined," and what is the process and decision-maker for such a…

  • 27953 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19836 (2026), when were the criteria for opting in as an Emergency Housing supplier last amended, and on whose advice were those amendments made?

  • 27956 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19836 (2026), what specific criteria must an accommodation provider meet to opt in as an Emergency Housing supplier under the Ministry of Social Development's Emergency Housing Supplier Standards, if any, and where are…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that the Supplier Standards came into effect on 6 November 2023 and have not changed since their introduction. The standards are intended to ensure that Emergency Housing…

Answered

Question 27952 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19839 (2026), on how many occasions in 2026 has the Ministry of Social Development declined a prospective Emergency Housing supplier's request to register or opt in, in Canterbury, and what was the stated ground in each…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development that this information is not centrally recorded. Providing this information would require the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation, diverting staff from their core duties. In…

Answered

Question 27954 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19839 (2026), is the Minister aware that on 13 May 2026 a Manager Client Services Delivery in the Canterbury Region advised external stakeholders in writing that a New Brighton accommodation provider's approach to become…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

As the Associate Minister of Housing, I do not involve myself with operational matters.

Answered

Question 27955 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 19836 (2026), does the Ministry of Social Development apply any criteria, beyond the published Supplier Standards, when deciding whether to register a prospective Emergency Housing supplier; if so, what are they?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development does not apply any criteria beyond the published Supplier Standards when deciding whether to register a prospective Emergency Housing supplier.

Answered

Question 27957 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to replies 19832 (2026) and 19839 (2026), can the Minister confirm the correct number of Emergency Housing suppliers who have opted in to the Supplier Standards in Canterbury, and account for the difference between the figures of…

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

I am advised that there are 25 Emergency Housing suppliers within the Canterbury region, and 22 of these are within Christchurch City, who have opted in to the Supplier Standards.

Answered

25782, 27071 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Francisco Hernandez

    List MP · Green Party

    25782

    Question published

    How much, if any, is the total budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the 2026/27 financial year on artificial intelligence- including costs on…

  • Asked by

    Ayesha Verrall

    List MP · Labour Party

    27071 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How much funding, if any, within Vote Health is being invested in artificial intelligence or automation in 2026/27, broken down by Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health and specific purpose?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the budget for the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand's AI costs for 2026/27 is not yet available as internal business plans and budgets are still being finalised.

Answered

26622, 27070 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Camilla Belich

    List MP · Labour Party

    26622

    Question published

    Which agencies, departments, Crown entities, companies, or other organisations for which the Minister is responsible, if any, have been required to identify or deliver baseline savings or staffing reductions since 27 November 2023, and how…

  • Asked by

    Ayesha Verrall

    List MP · Labour Party

    27070 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What operational efficiencies, if any, is the Ministry of Health expected to deliver from within its baseline in 2026/27, and what is the dollar value and FTE impact of each by output category?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

Health New Zealand budgets to spend within available funding and this may include operational decisions on targeted efficiencies and savings in order to meet health targets and deliver high quality care services to all New Zealanders.

Answered

Question 27014 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What vacancy and turnover assumptions,. if any, are built into Health New Zealand's 2026/27 nursing budget?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand budgets are still being finalised and are not yet approved.

Answered

Question 27015 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is Health New Zealand’s nursing vacancy rate and nursing turnover rate, for the past four financial years?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 27016 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is Health New Zealand’s target split, if any, between domestic and international nursing recruitment?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not have specific targets for domestic or international recruitment in place; however, New Zealand-trained nurses are employed as a priority.

Answered

Question 27017 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the budgeted cost per internationally qualified nurse hire, including recruitment, relocation, registration and bridging costs, and how, if at all, does it compare with employing a New Zealand-trained registered nurse or graduate…

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not budget for any relocation or registration costs outside of the requirements of Collective Agreements.

Answered

27018, 27019, 27025, 27031 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 27018 (matches this search)

    What funding, if any, in the 2026/27 health funding baseline is committed to employing new graduate nurses?

  • 27019 (matches this search)

    Does the Budget 2026 health funding baseline assume any net increase in total nursing FTE in 2026/27 over 2025/26; if so, how many, and if not, does the funding provide only for the replacement of turnover?

  • 27025 (matches this search)

    What Budget 2026 funding, if any, is directed at lifting breast and cervical screening coverage?

  • 27031 (matches this search)

    What specific Budget 2026 funding is directed at lifting immunisation coverage?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

The Budget 2026 health funding baseline is intended to cover cost pressures arising from both volume growth and inflation across all services delivered or funded by Health New Zealand. Health NZ allocates its expenditure across all cost…

Answered

Question 27020 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many registered nurses, if any, does Health New Zealand plan to employ in 2026/27, broken down by New Zealand-trained nurses graduating in 2026/27, other New Zealand-trained nurses, Australian-qualified nurses, and internationally…

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that recruitment occurs in response to workforce requirements, service demand, staff turnover, and vacancies across different locations and specialties. As a result, the number of nurses recruited domestically and…

Answered

Question 27023 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has any change to the ACC purchase price or service-volume assumptions been made in setting the 2026/27 Vote?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

The Ministry of Health advises that changes to ACC purchase price or service volume assumptions have no impact upon the setting of Vote Health for 2026/27.

Answered

Question 27024 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total remaining Holidays Act liability, and by what date will all affected current and former health workers be paid?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that as at the end of May 2026, current staff in 18 of 20 districts have received remediation payments. Current staff in the remaining two districts (Lakes and Whanganui) are scheduled to receive interim payments in August and…

Answered

Question 27026 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister advise, for every health target and screening measure where the 2025/26 estimated actual fell short of the budgeted standard, whether the 2026/27 standard has been retained, raised, lowered, or removed?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to pages 23 to 35 of 'Estimates 2026/2027 - Vote Health'.

Answered

Question 27027 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the change to the bowel-screening measure represent a lowering of the performance expectation?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

No. I am advised that the programme participation target remains at 60%. However, the bowel screening budget standard participation measure has been revised from 60% to 55% to reflect changes in the eligibility age of the National Bowel…

Answered

Question 27028 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why was the HPV measure removed rather than retained?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) measure ‘Increase the percentage of girls and boys between 9 and 26 years who have completed their HPV immunisation course as per schedule and recorded on the Aotearoa Immunisation Register…

Answered

Question 27029 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What circumstances have led, or are expected to lead, Health New Zealand to need to access the Standby Credit facility?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the $200 million Standby Credit Facility (SCF) was established in May 2023 to manage potential liquidity risks and ensure sufficient working capital when required. The Health New Zealand Treasury policy requires that a…

Answered

Question 27030 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What independent evaluation, if any, has been undertaken of whether the Primary Care funding boost, continued via a $95 million transfer, has improved access to general practice, and will the Minister release it?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that there has been no independent evaluation commissioned of the primary care funding boost. Both the Ministry of Health and Health NZ continue to monitor access to general practice as one of the key priorities in their plan…

Answered

Question 27032 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many children currently have unmet need for specialist paediatric palliative care nationally?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that ‘unmet needs’ is not a metric which is measured; however, current specialist paediatric palliative care services are limited. That's why as part of Budget 2026, our Government is funding a new National Specialist…

Answered

Question 27033 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the current funding shortfall faced by road ambulance providers, and does this uplift fully close it?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the recently announced uplift is a component of the overall investment into emergency ambulance services, alongside funding from Health New Zealand and ACC for FY2026/27. This investment will provide two new road…

Answered

Question 27034 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What capital mechanism, if any, will fund hospital infrastructure from 2027/28 onwards?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that in addition to health capital funding provided through existing tagged contingencies or Health New Zealand capital spending, health capital funding decisions from 2027/28 will be taken in relevant Budgets.

Answered

Question 27035 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What percentage of total road ambulance service costs will the Crown now fund following the Road Ambulance Services uplift ($34.996 million), and what was that percentage before the uplift?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that contracts and funding for 2026/27 is currently being negotiated. This information will not be available until negotiations have completed. I am further advised that in 2024/25, the total government funding represented…

Answered

Question 27036 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What business case and value-for-money assessment supported building a third medical school rather than expanding the existing Auckland and Otago programmes, and will the Minister release it?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that a detailed business case and full, independent cost-benefit analysis of a new medical school at the University of Waikato has been completed. The Ministry of Health has released the detailed business case and cost-benefit…

Answered

Question 27037 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many funded student places will the Waikato medical school provide, in what year is the first intake, and in what year will the first cohort graduate?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised there will be 120 new students commencing study each year from 2028 in a four-year programme at the University of Waikato, with the first cohort graduating in 2032.

Answered

Question 27038 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What are the expected ongoing annual operating costs of the Waikato medical school, and from which Vote will they be met?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the ongoing annual operating costs of the Waikato medical school are to be considered as part of the new medical school programme's second Approval to Deliver.

Answered

Question 27039 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will any further Crown capital be required for the New Dunedin Hospital beyond this appropriation, and what advice has the Minister received on that risk?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that further Crown capital will not be required for the approved 2025 scope for the New Dunedin Hospital. I am further advised that the risk and associated contingency was carefully considered, with an independent quantitative…

Answered

Question 27040 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister requested any advice on whether Budget 2026’s Vote Health capital-to-operating pattern is sustainable or masks an operating shortfall?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

Titles of advice that I have requested and 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…

Answered

Question 27041 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which priority projects does the $300 million equity withdrawal for the Health Digital Investment Plan fund, and what is the allocation to each?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the $300 million equity withdrawal equates to $100 million per year operating funding under the three-year Health Digital Investment Plan (HDIP). It supports a defined set of priority digital programmes focused on…

Answered

Question 27042 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why is the $300 million for the Health Digital Investment Plan funded outside the Budget operating allowance via an equity withdrawal rather than through new appropriations?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that an equity withdrawal was preferred to a new operating appropriation because it enabled the Government to rapidly fund time critical digital investment . This approach preserves capital investment settings, while…

Answered

Question 27043 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the effect of the $300 million equity withdrawal for the Health Digital Investment Plan on Health New Zealand’s balance sheet, cash position and capital headroom?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the effect of the withdrawal of equity of $300 million from Health New Zealand on the 2025/26 balance sheet is a reduction in Crown equity and cash reserves. The equity withdrawal swaps funding from Capital to operational…

Answered

Question 27044 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What specific safeguards, audits or oversight of third-party primary-care IT vendors will the cyber-security funding deliver in 2026/27, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand is undertaking reviews of six private patient portals, which are expected to be completed later in the 2026/27 financial year. These reviews will highlight any needed areas of security uplift in the…

Answered

Question 27045 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What happens to Health New Zealand’s cyber protections after 2029/30?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand's cyber protections will continue to be a cornerstone of the Digital Services team, and existing investment levels will build capability and drive up security maturity. I am further advised that…

Answered

Question 27046 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the $39.8 million per year for the Digital Services Cyber Security initiative in Budget 2026 ongoing baseline funding or time-limited?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that security funding is based on investment numbers aligned to the 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan. Funding in Budget 2026 is for four years and I expect to be updated about future investment needs in due course. This…

Answered

Question 27047 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many cyber security incidents has Health New Zealand experienced in each year of the past five financial years, and what data, if any, was compromised?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not release this data information as a cyber security measure.

Answered

Question 27048 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much of the $153.6 million Digital Services Cyber Security initiative in Budget 2026 is one-off remediation, and how much is ongoing operational security?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the Digital Services Cyber Security initiative in Budget 2026 provides $153.6m over four years, broken into $102m for core services (operational security) and $51.6m for security uplift.

Answered

Question 27049 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many additional cyber-security FTE will be funded through the $153.6 million Digital Services Cyber Security initiative in Budget 2026, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the $153.6 million cyber security investment sustains existing workforce levels.

Answered

Question 27050 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister itemise the funding across 24/7 monitoring and response, specialist cyber workforce, critical system upgrades, and primary-care oversight for the $153.6 million Digital Services Cyber Security initiative in Budget 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

Yes, I am advised that this investment will maintain Health New Zealand’s cyber security workforce and 24/7 monitoring of security threats, meaning it is well placed to rapidly respond to incidents. The exact allocation of funding will be…

Answered

Question 27051 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How does Budget 2026’s funding uplift compare with the Pharmac operating increases in Budgets 2024 and 2025?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table for the funding allocated to Pharmac through Vote Health appropriations.

Answered

Question 27052 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What funding amount did Pharmac itself request or identify as needed for Budget 2026, and how does $13.5 million per year compare with it?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

Information relating to Budget 2026 initiatives and Budget bids will be proactively released in due course as part of the Government’s Budget 2026 proactive release process.

Answered

27053, 27055, 27056 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 27053 (matches this search)

    Will the entitlement to a three-day postnatal stay be available in every birthing facility from commencement, and if not, where will women be unable to access it?

  • 27055 (matches this search)

    When will the three-day postnatal stay come into effect?

  • 27056 (matches this search)

    Will the legal entitlement to a three-day postnatal stay come into force before, at the same time as, or after the funded increase in maternity bed and workforce capacity is in place, and what is the risk it cannot be met in the interim?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

The Government intends to phase the Bill’s implementation to ensure the system is ready to deliver the entitlement safely. Health New Zealand will begin by using existing capacity and will then work closely with maternity providers to meet…

Answered

Question 27054 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many additional medicines does Budget 2026’s $13.5 million per year fund, and how many additional patients does this allow Pharmac to reach?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

Decisions on which medicines are funded are operational matters for Pharmac, who makes those decisions independently within its statutory role and available funding. Pharmac will continue to use a combination of Budget funding and…

Answered

Question 27057 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the average postnatal inpatient stay, by district over the past five years?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.