Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 4251 to 4300 of 32204 written question sets.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Did the Minister receive a Briefing to the Incoming Minister from officials, and if yes, on what date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
I received a Briefing to the Incoming Minister on 13 August.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
What policy or legislative priorities, if any, does the new Minister have for 2026 that will help the New Zealand building and construction industry?
What new policy initiatives, if any, is the Minister considering for building and construction firms to address rising cost challenges?
What, if anything, is the Minister's plan in 2026 to prevent more building and construction workers from leaving New Zealand to Australia?
What concrete actions, if anything, does the Minister intend to take in 2026 to address mental health in the New Zealand construction industry?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
I intend to continue advancing the government's ambitious agenda, which includes restoring the economy to a stable footing and supporting the construction industry. That will ultimately benefit the whole industry by increasing…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
How many, if any, of the 205 senior leaders from construction businesses in New Zealand who completed Kennards Hire's second annual Construction Confidence Check survey will he undertake to meet in-person to listen to their concerns?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
As Minister, I expect I will engage in person with a number of stakeholders, and I expect that will include some of those individuals in due course. I have not, in the time I have been Minister, compiled a list of all the individuals I…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Will the new Minister commit to attending all of the Building and Construction portfolio events with external stakeholders between now and the election that the Hon Penk had already confirmed his attendance at; if not, why not?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
I intend to honour as many pre-existing commitments as possible, both in the building construction portfolio and across my other Ministerial portfolios. As I have just received the Ministerial warrant for the former, my team will be…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Will the Minister undertake to read the full version of the second annual Construction Confidence Check survey, released in August 2026, which says that economic uncertainty, rising costs, tighter customer budgets, planning delays and…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
I intend to read a variety of material related to the portfolio, including material from the construction sector. In the time since I recieved the Ministerial Warrant this week I have not read this document.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Does he agree with the Kennards Hire reporting that confidence among construction industry decision makers has dropped by nearly 10% over the last year; and if so, what action, if any, does he intend to take?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
While I have not read this report since becoming Minister, I recognise that due to a variety of factors, many in the building and construction sector are doing it tough. That is why it is so important to continue advancing the government's…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Does the Hon Watts plan to proactively engage stakeholders in the building and construction industry in the coming months; if so, how?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
In answer to the first leg is the members question, yes. In answer to the second, I engage with stakeholders in a number of ways, including meetings and event attendance.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Will any of the Government's building and construction policy work be paused or delayed as a result of the appointment of a new Minister in August 2026; if yes, what policy work?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
I have not instructed or intend to instruct any work to be paused or delayed.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Further to 59216 (2025), are the Minister's policy priorities for 2026 the same as the Hon Penk; if not, why not?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
Yes
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Will the Hon Watts be available to meet with stakeholders in his new building and construction portfolio; if so, when and how can they meet him?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
As with all my Ministerial portfolios, I will engage with relevant stakeholders on a continuous basis. Details of how to contact my office can be found on the beehive website.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
What instructions, if any, did the Prime Minister give the Hon Watts about the Building and Construction portfolio; if so, what were they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
None.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Was the Hon Watts informed by the Prime Minister that he would become the new Minister for Building and Construction; if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction
Yes, I was notified of my appointment on the 12th of August.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, new Early Childhood Education centres opened during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
Three.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
What data, if any, is recorded by the Ministry of Education regarding the amount of teachers in Early Childhood Education centres who do not hold a teaching qualification; if any, how many teachers in Early Childhood Education centres did…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
ECE staffing is published annually on Education Counts at https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ECE/annual-early-childhood-education-census Information on weekly staffing is not held by the Ministry of Education. In 2025 there…
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres permanently closed during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
One.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres got their licenses suspended by the Ministry of Education during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
Three.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres got their licenses cancelled by the Ministry of Education during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres got their licenses reclassified as a provisional license by the Ministry of Education during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, written directions have been issued by the Ministry of Education towards an Early Childhood Education centre during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres have gone into liquidation since November 2023; broken down by month?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised that the information sought by the Member is not held by the Ministry of Education as ‘liquidation’ is not recorded as a specific reason for closure.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, Early Childhood Education centres have gone into liquidation since November 2023?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised that the information sought by the Member is not held by the Ministry of Education as ‘liquidation’ is not recorded as a specific reason for closure.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, children were attending early childhood centres during the week of August 3rd 2026; broken down by region?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I refer the Member to the attached table showing the number of children attending early childhood centres (ECE) during the week of 3 August 2026. Please note, children may be counted more than once if they attend multiple ECE services…
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, early childhood centres were in operation during the week of August 3rd 2026; broken down by region?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I refer the Member to the attached table showing the number of early childhood centres operating during the week of 3 August 2026 broken down by region.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many times, if any, was the same meal delivered to schools during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None. Weekly information regarding meals served to internal and iwi/hapū model schools is not available.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
What advice, if any, has he received about Early Childhood Education during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many lunches that were meant to serve specific dietary or religious needs did not meet those needs during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that during the week of 3 August 2026, there was one specific dietary or religious meal served that did not meet those needs.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, official complaints were made relating to meals provided to schools during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised that the Ministry of Education received three complaints about meals in the week of 3 August 2026.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, investigations into meals provided to schools were closed during the week of August 3rd 2026; if any, what were the findings of the investigation?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, investigations into meals provided to schools were opened during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that one new investigation was opened during the week of 3 August 2026.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How much, if anything, was paid to an external supplier to collect uneaten meals during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that across all providers, waste collection is included in the per meal price.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, uneaten meals were collected at the end of the school day by an external supplier during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that surplus numbers reported from external model suppliers for the week of 3 August 2026 was 71,162 (12 percent of total meals).
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
How many, if any, meals were thrown out by schools during the week of August 3rd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that schools in the school lunches programme are required to return surplus meals to their supplier
Asked by
Kieran McAnulty
List MP · Labour Party
Has the 1940s state house on Langford Street, Naenae that was being sold by Bayleys Real Estate in a deadline sale closing on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 been sold and if so, did Bayleys Real Estate, as Kāinga Ora’s agent, make the buyers…
When was the 1940s state house on Langford Street, Naenae that was being sold by Bayleys Real Estate in a deadline sale closing on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 vacated and were the previous tenants relocated to another Kāinga Ora house?
How many times, if any, was the 1940s state house on Langford Street, Naenae that was being sold by Bayleys Real Estate in a deadline sale closing on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 decontaminated for methamphetamine contamination and for each…
When was the 1940s state house on Langford Street, Naenae that was being sold by Bayleys Real Estate in a deadline sale closing on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 most recently decontaminated for methamphetamine contamination?
On what date, if at all, did Kāinga Ora notify Bayleys Real Estate that the 1940s state house on Langford Street, Naenae that was being sold on an ‘as-is, where-is basis’ had been used as a Meth Lab and what information was given to…
Answered by
Hon Tama Potaka
Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities advises me that, as at the date of the Member’s question, the property was still subject to a commercial process and that the date and final sale price will be released in due course. As the matter…
Asked by
Kieran McAnulty
List MP · Labour Party
How many state houses has Kāinga Ora sold since 1 July 2024 and how many, if any, of those houses were tested for methamphetamine contamination within one year prior to the decision to sell the house?
How many state houses, if any, sold by Kāinga Ora since 1 July 2024 were decontaminated as a result of methamphetamine use or manufacture within one year prior to the decision to sell the house?
Answered by
Hon Tama Potaka
Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing
Kāinga Ora — Homes and Communities advises me that between 1 July 2024 and 31 July 2026, it sold 1,093 state houses. Of these, 54 properties were tested for methamphetamine contamination within one year of the house selling. Following the…
Asked by
Kieran McAnulty
List MP · Labour Party
How many state houses, if any, has Kāinga Ora decontaminated due to methamphetamine contamination since 1 July 2024?
Answered by
Hon Tama Potaka
Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing
Kāinga Ora — Homes and Communities advises me that 530 state houses have been decontaminated due to methamphetamine contamination since 1 July 2024.
Asked by
Kieran McAnulty
List MP · Labour Party
How many state houses, if any, has Kāinga Ora tested for methamphetamine contamination since 1 July 2024?
Answered by
Hon Tama Potaka
Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing
Kāinga Ora — Homes and Communities advises me that 1,197 state houses have been tested for methamphetamine contamination since 1 July 2024.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How much, if any, is the total (finalised) budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026/27…
Answered by
Hon Mark Mitchell
Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections
I am advised that Corrections has finalised their budget for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026/27 financial year, and that there have been no changes made to the figures provided in the response to WPQ 31038 (2026).…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
What was the total (finalised) spend on the carbon neutral government programme at the Ministry for the Environment for the 2025/26 financial year?
Answered by
Hon Nicola Grigg
Member for Selwyn · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I am advised the Ministry for the Environment spent a total (unaudited) of $339,352 on the Carbon Neutral Government Programme in the 2025/26 financial year.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How much, if any, is the total (finalised) budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026/27…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
The Ministry of Education has budgeted $70,550 for the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP) in the 2026/27 financial year. NZQA has budgeted $17,200 for the CNGP in the 2026/27 financial year ENZ has budgeted $15,700 for the CNGP in…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
When, if ever, has the Minister met with the NZ College of Midwives to discuss the risk of nitrates in South Island drinking water supplies to expectant mothers, foetuses, and babies?
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
I have not met with the NZ College of Midwives on this issue. I expect drinking water across the South Island to be below the safe drinking level of 11.3 mg/L.
Asked by
Marama Davidson
List MP · Green Party
What type of gold mining, if any, occurs in Pounamu Management Areas?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
There are currently 157 mining permits with gold as a target mineral over Pounamu Management Areas. This figure is inclusive of six gold fossicking areas, and one special purpose mining permit for tourism activity.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
Has the Minister read the report by Southland Regional Council titled "Nitrogen Contamination in Southland Groundwater", dated January 2026?
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
No. I expect drinking water across the South Island to be below the safe drinking level of 11.3 mg/L.
Asked by
Marama Davidson
List MP · Green Party
How much gold, if any, is mined from Pounamu Management Areas?
Answered by
Hon Shane Jones
List MP · NZ First · Minister for Resources
Declarations in the Annual Summary Reports of relevant permits holders report that 26,154.31 troy ounces (ozt) of gold was recovered from Pounamu Management Zones in the 2024 calendar year (the most recent data set available).
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
Is the Minister aware of the report by Southland Regional Council titled "Nitrogen Contamination in Southland Groundwater" and dated January 2026?
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
I expect drinking water across the South Island to be below the safe drinking level of 11.3 mg/L.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How much, if any, is the total (finalised) budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026/27…
Answered by
Hon Tama Potaka
Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Minister for Māori Development
I am advised by Te Puni Kōkiri that its planned expenditure for the 2026/27 financial year is approximately $18,000 (excluding GST) for Toitū Envirocare annual membership fees and audit fees.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
What advice has the Minister for the South Island received, if any, about nitrate in drinking water supplies, including private supplies, across the South Island?
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
I expect drinking water across the South Island to be below the safe drinking level of 11.3 mg/L.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How much, if any, is the total (finalised) budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026/27…
Answered by
Hon Paul Goldsmith
List MP · National Party · Minister for Media and Communications
I am advised that the entities I am responsible for have not budgeted anything towards the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP) for the 2026/27 financial year, with the exception of RNZ who has budgeted $25,000
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
When, if ever, has the Minister for the South Island met with the Minister for Local Government, Minister for Health, and/or Minister for the Environment about nitrate in drinking water sources, including private bore sources, during this…
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
I have not met with these Ministers on this issue. I expect drinking water across the South Island to be below the safe drinking level of 11.3 mg/L.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
When did the Minister become aware that the previous water supply for Laghmor School exceeded the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water?
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
I was first made aware of a scare campaign on this issue 4 August 2026.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
Does the Minister agree with the Minister for the Environment's response to written question 6172 (2026), in which the Minister stated that "Yes. The sources of nitrate pollution are well documented...", when asked if she accepted the…
Answered by
Hon James Meager
Member for Rangitata · National Party · Minister for the South Island
Yes.