Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 351 to 400 of 442 written question sets.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 23 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 23 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 23 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 23 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the earliest and latest timeframes the LNG terminal could be operational?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
This will be subject to the specific contractual arrangement, I have indicated the terminal could be operational as early as 2027 or early 2028
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Are there any circumstances in which general taxation would be used to cover LNG terminal cost shortfalls, and if so, what are they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The Government intends for a levy to cover the cost of the facility, as the facility will act as an insurance against dry year. Details of the operation of the levy are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What specific contingency mechanisms or levy-setting mechanisms will be proposed if levy revenue is insufficient to meet terminal costs for the proposed LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy will cover the cost of the facility. Details of the operation of the levy are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the fiscal risk to the Crown if levy recovery is delayed or costs escalate in relation to the proposed LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy will cover the cost of the facility. Details of the operation of the levy are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the maximum levy range modelled, if any, if capital or operating costs escalate beyond initial estimates regarding the proposed LNG terminal?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy will cover the cost of the facility. Details of the operation of the levy are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the maximum levy range modelled, if any, if delayed levy recovery occurs regarding the proposed LNG terminal?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy will cover the cost of the facility. Details of the operation of the levy are yet to be confirmed.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What range of cost escalation scenarios, if any, were modelled for the proposed LNG terminal?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Financial information on potential costs has been sourced from industry reports and the current procurement process. Given the current procurement process, I will not be publicly releasing those details at this time.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What specific “significant caveats” were raised in the Cabinet paper on LNG that led Cabinet to be advised that cost estimates should be treated as indicative?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The Cabinet paper - which has been released - makes clear that the information provided was drawn from a Request for Information and submission of early-stage designs for accelerated delivery solutions. The Cabinet paper also notes there…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the projected total levy revenue over 20 years referred to in his Cabinet paper on LNG?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy would be designed to cover the costs only. This subject to the procurement process, which is ongoing.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the projected total levy revenue over 15 years referred to in his Cabinet paper on LNG?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The levy would be designed to cover the costs only. This subject to the procurement process, which is ongoing.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimate of the total life cycle cost of the proposed LNG terminal over 20 years?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
This will be subject to the procurement process, which is ongoing.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimate of the total life cycle cost of the proposed LNG terminal over 15 years?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
This will be subject to the procurement process, which is ongoing.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What, if anything, is the projected average annual impact on household electricity bills under the levy model for the proposed LNG import facility over the next 5, 10, and 20 years?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
This would depend on the contractual arrangements for procuring the terminal. Analysis indicates that a reduction in electricity prices will result in net savings for households.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What timeframe, if any, was used in defining a “timely manner” in determining a “renewables and demand-side approach would not solve the dry-year problem in a timely manner”?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Timely was defined as cover being available before 2030, though earlier is desirable, given the costs of a dry year to the economy. This is discussed in the Strategic Case section of Exploring the Case for LNG, which is available on the…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What assumptions, if any, did MBIE use to conclude that renewables plus demand response could not solve the dry-year problem?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE expects to see further renewable generation in future. However, most of these projects will be weather dependent and New Zealand will remain exposed to weather-related risks to electricity supply. This is discussed in the Strategic…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
What definition of “timely manner” was used in determining a “renewables and demand-side approach would not solve the dry-year problem in a timely manner”?
What criteria, if any, were used in determining a “renewables and demand-side approach would not solve the dry-year problem in a timely manner”?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Options that would not deliver additional back-up cover by winter 2029 timeframe were not preferred relative to those that could do so. This is discussed in the Economic Case section of Exploring the Case for LNG, which is available on the…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 16 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 16 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 16 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is it correct David MacLeod has been asked to be the “Seconder Spokesperson for Simon Watts on his Energy portfolio” and if so, what date did this happen, did he accept, when will it take effect from, and what will his role be in the…
Answered by
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Member for Botany · National Party · Prime Minister
The matter referred to in the question relates to the National Party caucus for which there is no ministerial responsibility.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is it correct David MacLeod has been asked to be the “Seconder Spokesperson for Simon Watts on his Energy portfolio” and if so, what date did this happen, did he accept, when will it take effect from, and what will his role be in the…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
As Minister of Energy I have no responsibility for National Party caucus matters
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 9 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 9 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 9 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 2 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 2 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(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 2 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 2 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
As Minister for Resources, alongside the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I took the paper titled "A Non-Binding Framework on Critical Minerals Between the United States and New Zealand" to Cabinet on Monday 2 February 2026.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 2 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy
None.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 2 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
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…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility reference the Government Procurement Rules; if so, which specific rules were cited?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE’s commercial services procurement team is running the procurement process, consistent with All-of-Government’s Procurement rules that would apply to such a project.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Were there risks identified in the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, what are they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Yes. Some of the risks are commercially sensitive and will not be disclosed. The advice did identify that it might not be possible to identify a suitable solution through the accelerated delivery solution.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility make any specific recommendations that are not reflected in the Cabinet paper, and if so, what are they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Were there differing views between Ministers on the ministerial decision-making for the procurement process of an LNG import facility, and if so, what were they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Will he release the full advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The procurement process is not complete yet, and so some information is commercially sensitive. This will likely remain the case until a contract is completed, though some information may remain commercial-in-confidence.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility consider whether ministerial selection of a preferred provider could create any actual or perceived conflicts of interest?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The final decision is to be made by a ministerial panel rather than a single minister. There are clear and well-developed processes for the management of any conflicts of interest that may exist.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Who provided the advice, listed by agency or department, on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE provided the advice on ministerial decision making in a series of papers in November and December 2025.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is there written advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, what is this by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE provided general advice to the Minister for Energy on ministerial decision making in a briefing entitled ‘LNG Import Facility Cabinet Paper for Lodging’ and dated 10 December 2025.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What date or dates did he receive advice on whether the process outlined in his Cabinet paper, where a delegated group of Ministers make the final decision on the selection of a preferred provider of an LNG import facility falls within the…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
I discussed this approach and other aspects of procurement on various occasions during the consideration of the policy proposal with officials, and was advised on this matter at that time. Cabinet has the full authority to delegate…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does he stand by his statement that an “accelerated delivery model could see an LNG import facility operational as early as 2027/28, depending on the type of infrastructure required” and if so, how, if at all, does the type of…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Yes I stand by my statement, and yes the infrastructure will affect the start date. More information will be available once a contract has been agreed with a preferred provider.