Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 601 to 650 of 909 written question sets.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the former Minister for Vocational Education take to Cabinet during the week beginning 23 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 23 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education
I refer the Member to the list below of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents, my office or I received during the week beginning 23 March 2026: Ministry of Education 24 March 2026 - Draft media release and…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the most recent restructure, if any, to take place in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, and how many roles were affected, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
As Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, I have no responsibility for any government departments. With regard to agencies, Crown entities and any other bodies under the Science, Innovation and Technology portfolio, please refer…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Since 27 November 2023, what persons, if any, have been appointed to a board role position that wasn't on a shortlist provided to you as responsible Minister?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
I am informed by the office of the previous Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology that as the responsible Minister for the Science Innovation and Technology since January 2025, they have appointed the following people in the…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the most recent restructure, if any, to take place in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, and how many roles were affected, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education
There were two small team restructures undertaken at Tertiary Education Commission since 1 July 2025 fiscal savings restructure: 1. Customer Contact Group – The vacant Team Manager Operational Support role was disestablished, with its…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Since 27 November 2023, what persons, if any, have been appointed to a board role position that wasn't on a shortlist provided to you as responsible Minister?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education
All Ministerial appointments I am responsible for go through a standard process facilitated by the Ministry of Education (for appointments to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission) or the Tertiary Education Commission (for…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
Question published
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 16 March 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
Question published
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 16 March 2026, including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
In my capacity as Minister for Vocational Education, my office has not declined any events or meeting requests that were scheduled to take place for the week beginning 16 March 2026. This is also my response to written parliamentary…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the member to the following list of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents my requested from Education agencies during the week beginning 16 March 2026: Tertiary Education Commission 17 March 2026 -…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
My office and I seek advice and information from officials through a variety of mechanisms including, formal commissioning, officials’ meetings, phone calls and emails. I do not maintain a central register of every request for advice,…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 16 March 2026, including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
In my capacity as Minister for the Environment, my office declined attendance to the following events/meetings during the week beginning 16 March 2026: 20/03/26: Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants - Opening of the National…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, listed by date and title, did the Minister send to the Minister of Finance to advocate for students in vocational or university education so they could be included in the government's 'fuel crisis package?'
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not sent any correspondence to the Minister of Finance regarding this matter.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advocacy, if any, did the Minister do to request that students in vocational or university education also be included in the government's 'fuel crisis package'?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What, if any, effects does the Minister anticipate as a result of any increased financial burden on organizations that support disabled students?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
That organisations will work within their means to continue their services.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
Matching question numbers: 10700 (2026)
What directions, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, sent to the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the National…
What communication, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office received from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
What advice, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, received from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
What advice, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, requested from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
What communication, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office sent to the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
In my capacity as the Minister for the Environment, I have not received any advice or communications, or sent directions to my departments, agencies, crown entities, or any other bodies I am responsible for, regarding the National Fuel…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What specific actions, if any, broken down by action taken and date, has the Minister done to prepare the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, to implement the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, received from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not received any advice from the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, requested from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not requested any advice from the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What communication, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office received from the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not received any communication from the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What directions, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office, sent to the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the National…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not given any directions to the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What communication, if any, broken down by date and title, has the Minister or their office sent to the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not sent any communication to the Tertiary Education Commission regarding the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What specific actions, if any, broken down by action taken and date, has the Minister done to prepare the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities or any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, to implement the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not given any specific actions to the Tertiary Education Commission to implement the National Fuel Plan since 28 February 2026. However, I am having ongoing discussions with officials.
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · 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 March 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the member to the following list of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents my office or I received from Education agencies during the week beginning 16 March 2026: Tertiary Education Commission 16…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · 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 March 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social…
Asked by
Rachel Brooking
Member for Dunedin · Labour Party
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 March 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their office received, if any, during the week beginning 16/03/2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
In my capacity as the Minister for the Environment, I received the following documents in the week beginning 16 March 2026: The Ministry for the Environment: 18/03/2026: 26-BRF-00375 - Next steps to address surplus soils going to landfill…
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · Labour Party
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 11226 (2026).
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
None.
Asked by
Rachel Brooking
Member for Dunedin · Labour Party
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16/03/2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice has the minister received, if any, regarding the allocation of tertiary sector funding to New Zealand International Students Association (NZISA) or similar student organizations supporting international students studying at NZ…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 16 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 10961 (2026).
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Which organisations that receive funding under the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, if any, have received less funding this year than they did by the same time last year, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I am advised the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has funded the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) as a single organisation since 2020. The TEC does not fund the business divisions within NZIST individually.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the availability of funding, if any, for the National Disabled Students’ Association, listed by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What board fee increases, if any, did the Minister approve between 1 October and 31 December 2025, by organisation?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 50856 (2025). I did not approve any additional board fee increases under the Cabinet Fees Framework between 1 October and 31 December 2025.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What board fee increases, if any, has the Minister approved in 2026 to date, by organisation?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I approved increases of 81 percent for member fees (from $308 to $557 per day) and 55 percent for chair fees (from $396 to $613 per day) for the Fiordland Marine Guardians. I have not approved any other board fee increases under the…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What board fee increases, if any, did the Minister approve between 1 October and 31 December 2025, by organisation?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I did not approve any board fee increases between 1 October and 31 October 2025.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What board fee increases, if any, has the Minister approved in 2026 to date, by organisation?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not approved any board fee increases in 2026.
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · Labour Party
Question published
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 March 2026, by title and date?
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
Question published
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 9 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
10 March 2026 - Meeting Advice - Invitation to Te Wananga o Aotearoa Graduation 10 March 2026 - Youth Guarantee Data Some titles have been withheld as they are sensitive in nature and are not in the public interest to release at this time.…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 9 March 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
My office and I seek advice and information from officials through a variety of mechanisms including, formal commissioning, officials’ meetings, phone calls and emails. I do not maintain a central register of every request for advice,…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What technology or software systems, if any, used by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible have been identified as end-of-life, unsupported, or requiring urgent replacement since 27 November 2023, listed by…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry) has been modernising its infrastructure to move away from Datacom Cloud Services for Government (DCSG) since 2023. The Ministry is now in the final stages of migrating from the DCSG data…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What property leases, if any, have been entered into, renewed, or exited by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, listed by department or entity, address, annual rent, lease term, and…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the Member to the attached table which provides a breakdown of property leases entered, renewed or exited by the Ministry for the Environment and the Environmental Protection Authority since 27 November 2023.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What hui, conferences, away-days, or staff events, if any, costing more than $10,000 in total have been held by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, listed by department or entity, event…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the Member to the attached table which provides individual invoices for hui, conferences, away-days or staff events exceeding $10,000. I am advised the Ministry for the Environment is unable to itemise the cost of all individual…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What external legal costs, if any, were incurred by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible in each financial year since 2020/21, broken down by department or entity and by the nature of the legal work (litigation,…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the Member to the attached tables, which provide a breakdown of external legal costs incurred by the Ministry for the Environment and the Environmental Protection Authority in each financial year since 2020/21, by the nature of the…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What legal proceedings, if any, are currently being defended by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible where the total claimed or estimated liability exceeds $1 million, listed by department or entity, the nature of…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I am advised there are no legal proceedings that are being defended by the Ministry for the Environment or the Environmental Protection Authority that have estimated liability exceeding $1 million.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What funding, if any, has been distributed by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible to any entity in which a current member of the governing parties' boards, officers, or staff hold a governance or paid role since…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
None.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What contractor or consultant engagements, if any, are currently active across any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible, where the individual contractor or consultant is being paid at a rate exceeding $200 per hour,…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the Member to the attached tables which provide a breakdown of active contractor or consultant engagements at the Ministry for the Environment and the Environmental Protection Authority exceeding $200 per hour.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What redundancy or restructuring costs, if any, have been incurred by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, listed by department or entity, the number of positions disestablished, and the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
Redundancy costs incurred by the Ministry for the Environment since 27 November 2026 total $9,243,470, reflecting a reduction of 570 full-time equivalent roles. The Environmental Protection Authority have incurred $572,840 in redundancy…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What domestic travel expenditure, if any, was incurred by the Minister or any member of the Minister's office in each quarter since November 2023, broken down by quarter and by travel category (flights, accommodation, ground transport, or…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the member to the Department of Internal Affairs website for proactively released every quarter containing Ministers’ Travel and Accommodation expenses: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Ministers-expense-releases
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What independent reviews, evaluations, or inquiries, if any, have been commissioned by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, listed by department or entity, the name or subject of the…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
I refer the member to the attached table which provides a breakdown of the reviews, dates and total costs of independent reviews, evaluations or inquiries commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment and the Environmental Protection…
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What international travel, if any, has been undertaken by the Minister or any member of the Minister's office since 27 November 2023, listed by destination, purpose, dates of travel, and total cost including flights, accommodation, and per…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for the Environment
None.