Written questions

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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  How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2025 calendar year?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Is the Minister aware that other countries have implemented mandatory safety standards for window coverings with cords aimed at preventing child strangulation, and if so, what specific reasons, if any, prevent New Zealand from adopting…

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister agree with the NZ Herald headline that he "refuses to introduce regulatory standards for corded blinds despite toddler’s death"?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister agree with Audrey Young from the NZ Herald that blind cord safety "should be a pressing issue for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson"?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What criteria, if any, were used to decide which of the more than 110 standards would be adopted between Australia and New Zealand in the February 2026 announcement, and did corded blind safety not meet those criteria or were they not…

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Does the Government intend to adopt Australian corded blind safety standards in New Zealand in future Australian-New Zealand standards rounds; if not, what is the issue, if any, preventing this from happening?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Were corded blind safety standards considered by MBIE in the draft list of New Zealand standards to be aligned with Australia, as announced in February 2026, and if so, why were they not included in the final list of 110+ standards?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Why were corded window blind safety standards not included among the over 110 new or updated standards adopted in line with Australia, which were announced February 2026?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Are there any restrictions on the types of corded blinds that can be sold in New Zealand, if so, list them by restriction and date of introduction?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Are there any corded blind safety standards in New Zealand, and if so, how does MBIE monitor compliance with them, if at all?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Government ensure that imported corded blinds meet any New Zealand safety standards, and if so, how?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What regulations, if any, currently govern the sale of corded window blinds in New Zealand?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Are there currently any mandatory safety standards for the manufacture, importation, or sale of corded window blinds in New Zealand; if so, what are they, listed by standard and effective date of introduction?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What steps, if any, has the Minister taken to improve safety standards for corded window blinds in New Zealand?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Does the Minister agree with the NZ Herald that, in New Zealand today, "There are currently no mandatory regulations or enforceable requirements around blind cords – including design specifications, safety advice and the supply or…

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister ruled out introducing mandatory regulation of corded window coverings during this Parliamentary term; if yes, on what date was that decision made?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has any policy work been initiated by the Minister in this Parliamentary Term on regulation of corded window coverings; if yes, on what date?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has the Minister asked for advice on the feasibility of banning the sale of new corded window coverings; if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister received any MBIE advice recommending consideration of mandatory product safety standards for corded window coverings, and if so, what was the title and date of this advice?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has the Minister met with any families affected by cord-related fatalities; if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Did MBIE include mandatory regulation as an option to address safety risks presented by corded window coverings, following its 2023 consultation process, and if so, what did that option state exactly?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Why does New Zealand continue to rely on voluntary guidance when comparable jurisdictions have implemented mandatory standards to protect children?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has Cabinet considered mandatory regulation of corded window coverings during this term of Government; if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Does the Minister agree with the most recent coroner report, released this week, which recommends stronger regulatory intervention on corded blinds; if so, will the Government act on these recommendations?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  How many times, if any, has the Minister met with officials specifically to discuss regulation of corded window coverings since taking office?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister believe that corded window coverings are a known and preventable strangulation risk to young children in New Zealand?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister intend to report publicly on the Government’s final decision following MBIE’s 2023 consultation on window covering safety; if so, when?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has MBIE undertaken any market surveillance testing of corded window coverings sold in New Zealand to assess compliance with voluntary guidance; if so, what were the results?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What enforcement action, if any, has been taken by MBIE or other Government agencies in the past two years against any suppliers selling unsafe corded window coverings?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister consider that the current New Zealand standard for corded blinds provides sufficient deterrence against unsafe product design; if so, on what evidence is that assessment based?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has the Minister received any MBIE advice on the feasibility of phasing out the sale of corded window coverings over a defined transition period?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister considered introducing an interim mandatory standard for corded blinds pending longer-term regulatory work; if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  What proportion of corded window coverings currently sold in New Zealand, if any, comply with the equivalent Australian safety standards, according to the latest data held by MBIE?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Has MBIE provided advice, if any, on whether voluntary industry compliance has reduced the incidence of injuries or fatalities from corded window coverings; if so, what were the findings?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What criteria, if any, does the Minister apply when determining whether to introduce a mandatory product safety standard, and what is the timeline and responsibility of actions between the Minister and officials?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister sought updated advice following the most recent coroner’s findings concerning child strangulation involving corded blinds; if so, when?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Will the Minister make his most recent written briefing from MBIE specifically relating to the safety risks of corded internal window coverings, if any, public, and if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  On what date, if any, did the Minister last receive any oral briefing from MBIE, either initiated himself or prompted by officials, specifically relating to the safety risks of corded internal window coverings?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  What advice, if any, has the Minister asked for since 1 January 2024 regarding the introduction of a mandatory product safety standard for corded window coverings?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  What advice, if any, has MBIE provided about imported corded window coverings, and whether they are subject to any specific safety compliance checks at the border?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister had any discussions with other Ministers about prohibiting the installation of corded window coverings in Kāinga Ora and other publicly funded housing developments, and if not, why not?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Is the Minister "putting the entire burden of safety on parents" when it comes to corded blinds in New Zealand?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

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  Does the Minister agree with the mother of the three-year-old who was accidentally strangled by a corded blind that "We need mandatory standards now so no other family is left holding a coroner’s report instead of their child"?

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  Does the Minister agree with the mother of the three-year-old who was accidentally strangled by a corded blind that "no amount of parental vigilance can replace the professional, mandatory safety hardware that has been law in Australia,…

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Does the Minister agree with the mother of the three-year-old who was accidentally strangled by a corded blind that "if mandatory safety regulations had been in place, [their child] would still be with [them] today"?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Does the Minister agree with the mother of the three-rear-old who was accidentally strangled by a corded blind that "no parent should have to expect a hidden industrial hazard in their own home"?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  What barriers, if any have been identified by MBIE that are preventing mandatory corded blind safety regulations being implemented in New Zealand?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  What formal response, if any, will the Minister provide following the Coroner's report and recommendations this week on corded blind safety, and will any response be made public?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister received advice on whether Canada has stronger product safety standards for corded window coverings as compared to New Zealand, and if so, what was that advice?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Has the Minister received advice on whether the UK has stronger product safety standards for corded window coverings as compared to New Zealand, and if so, what was that advice?

Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

• (matches this search)

  Is there currently any mandatory requirement for any retailer, installer, or manufacturer to supply safety devices, such as breakaway cords, with new corded blinds sold in New Zealand?