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Minister Simon Watts · Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland / Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction / Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy / Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change / Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government / Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue
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Question published between

Dates refer to when the question was published, and are inclusive.

Showing 651 to 700 of 1661 written question sets.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The deliberate use of a personal email account to conduct work activities as an alternate to using the work email provided to staff is not permitted. However, from time to time there are justifiable reasons for a private email to be used –…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

I have reaffirmed to staff my expectation that official information is maintained in the public record and asked them to ensure this remains the case.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai's drinking water regulation function exempt from the government's public servant job number cuts?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai was not included in the Budget 2026 public service cuts and as such, is exempt from roles disestablishment and associated processes of Budget 2026.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

The deliberate use of a personal email account to conduct work activities as an alternate to using the work email provided to staff is not permitted. However, from time to time there are justifiable reasons for a private email to be used –…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

I have reaffirmed to staff my expectation that official information is maintained in the public record and asked them to ensure this remains the case.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

The deliberate use of a personal email account to conduct work activities as an alternate to using the work email provided to staff is not permitted. However, from time to time there are justifiable reasons for a private email to be used –…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has New Zealand Steel in any meeting with the Minister this term, if any, suggested changes to the Climate Change Response Act in order to limit tort claims arising from climate change damage?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

No

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I have reaffirmed to staff my expectation that official information is maintained in the public record and asked them to ensure this remains the case.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

No.

Questions published
See individual question dates
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 21269 (2026), 21270 (2026), 21635 (2026), 21642 (2026), 21643 (2026), 21653 (2026), 21661 (2026), 21668 (2026), 21999 (2026), 22000 (2026), 22014 (2026), 22021 (2026), 22022 (2026), 22044 (2026), 22359 (2026), 22371 (2026), 22378 (2026), 22381 (2026), 22398 (2026), 22409 (2026), 22718 (2026), 22734 (2026), 22748 (2026), 22751 (2026), 22762 (2026), 22779 (2026), 23056 (2026), 23110 (2026), 23112 (2026), 23119 (2026), 23143 (2026), 23151 (2026), 23412 (2026), 23471 (2026), 23487 (2026), 23501 (2026), 23502 (2026), 23509 (2026), 23782 (2026), 23833 (2026), 23853 (2026), 23860 (2026), 23868 (2026), 23880 (2026), 24129 (2026), 24174 (2026), 24180 (2026), 24181 (2026), 24192 (2026), 24939 (2026)

  • 21248 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury, or any other agency regarding the feasibility, cost, delivery…

  • 21253 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Which AI vendors, products, or platforms are expected to be procured, expanded, or relied upon as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; what is the forecast contract value of each, in which…

  • 21255 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What evidence base, including any business cases, pilot results, productivity studies, benchmark data, or independent advice, was relied upon in determining that AI could absorb the workload of the roles being disestablished as part of…

  • 21264 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the total forecast spend on (a) AI software licences and subscriptions, (b) AI-related cloud and compute infrastructure, (c) AI implementation consultants and systems integrators, (d) AI-related staff training and change…

Show the remaining 50 questions
  • 21269 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many, if any, of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will have any of their functions or tasks performed, in whole or in part, by artificial…

  • 21270 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has any (a) algorithmic impact assessment, (b) Privacy Impact Assessment, (c) Treaty of Waitangi impact assessment, or (d) Health and Safety at Work Act psychosocial risk assessment been completed in respect of the AI tools being deployed…

  • 21635 (matches this search)

    Question published

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, has the Minister received advice that the functions could be performed more cost-effectively if the entity…

  • 21642 (matches this search)

    Question published

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, which functions will (a) cease entirely, (b) transfer to another entity, or (c) be performed by a…

  • 21643 (matches this search)

    Question published

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, what is the forecast one-off cost of abolition or merger, including disestablishment, transition, legal and IT…

  • 21653 (matches this search)

    Question published

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, what was the total appropriation in 2024/25, if anything, and what is the forecast total cost of the functions…

  • 21661 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has any psychosocial risk assessment been conducted in respect of the restructure being undertaken as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, under Health and Safety at Work Act obligations, if any,…

  • 21668 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has the Minister received any advice that role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will worsen results in staff engagement, workplace wellbeing, sick leave, or…

  • 21999 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has the Minister sought or received advice on whether roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will need to be re-hired within the next 24 months, and what is the…

  • 22000 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How does the role reduction being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for compare, as a proportion of workforce, across the portfolio, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company,…

  • 22014 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What proportion of the current workforce does the role reduction being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for represent, if any, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

  • 22021 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What support, including outplacement, retraining, and mental health support, if any, is being made available to staff affected by savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, and at what cost, broken down by…

  • 22022 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many staff affected by savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for are being offered redeployment to other roles within the same entity or elsewhere in the public service, if any, and what is the forecast…

  • 22044 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will be achieved by (a) voluntary redundancy, (b) involuntary redundancy, (c) non-replacement of…

  • 22359 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the total forecast cost of restructures being undertaken as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, including (a) redundancy payments, (b) outplacement support, (c) change-management…

  • 22371 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Have any functions been transferred to another entity as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; if so, has the receiving entity been given any additional baseline funding, and how much,…

  • 22378 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What, if anything, is the forecast contractor and consultant spend in each of the next four financial years as a consequence of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, by category of spend, broken…

  • 22381 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What, if anything, is the average daily rate paid for external consultants and contractors, and how does this compare to the equivalent daily cost of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 22398 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Will any work previously undertaken by roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, be performed by (a) external consultants, (b) contractors, (c) labour-hire staff,…

  • 22409 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Did Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, or the Public Service Commission advise against any element of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for,…

  • 22718 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What savings target, if any, expressed in dollars or FTE, was set as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, by whom, and on what date, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

  • 22734 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Were any relevant unions consulted prior to the announcement of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; if so, on what date, and were the unions provided with…

  • 22748 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Was the Public Service Commissioner consulted on the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what advice did the Commissioner provide, if anything, broken…

  • 22751 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice regarding the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and from whom, broken down by agency,…

  • 22762 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Will any obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including obligations under Treaty settlement legislation, be affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if…

  • 22779 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has the Minister been advised of any risks to the health, safety or wellbeing of New Zealanders arising from the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and if…

  • 23056 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the forecast change in (a) processing times, (b) wait times, (c) call-answer times, and (d) complaint resolution times for services provided in the 12 months following the role reductions being made as part of savings made in…

  • 23110 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the forecast change to each published performance measure (as set out in the most recent Statement of Performance Expectations or equivalent), if any, as a result of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget…

  • 23112 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Which specific functions, services, programmes or work streams, if any, will be reduced, ceased, or transferred elsewhere as a consequence of the role disestablishments being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 23119 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Which statutory functions, if any, are affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and has the Minister received legal advice as to whether each…

  • 23143 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Which statutory functions, if any, are affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and has the Minister received legal advice as to whether each…

  • 23151 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Which specific functions, services, programmes or work streams will be reduced, ceased, or transferred elsewhere as a consequence of the role disestablishments being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is…

  • 23412 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the forecast impact, if any, of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, on the gender pay gap and the ethnic pay gap, broken down by agency,…

  • 23471 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Has any equity impact assessment, gender impact assessment, or Treaty of Waitangi impact assessment been completed in respect of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible…

  • 23487 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many, if any of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, are held by employees who have self-identified as having a disability, broken down by agency,…

  • 23501 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the geographic and regional distribution of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by city or region and by agency, department, Crown…

  • 23502 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the age-band breakdown of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for…

  • 23509 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the ethnicity breakdown (Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian, European, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Other) of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for,…

  • 23782 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the gender breakdown of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, compared to the gender composition of each workforce as a whole, broken down by…

  • 23833 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the forecast change in spending, if any, on (a) external consultants, (b) contractors, and (c) temporary or labour-hire staff in each of the next four financial years as a consequence of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 23853 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the total forecast cost of redundancy and severance payments, if any, associated with the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what is the average…

  • 23860 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the distribution of roles, if any, being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, across salary bands in $20,000 increments (e.g. $60,000–$79,999, $80,000–$99,999,…

  • 23868 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the (a) mean, (b) median, (c) 25th percentile, and (d) 75th percentile salary of the roles, if any, being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by…

  • 23880 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What is the total annual salary cost (including employer KiwiSaver contributions and ACC levies) of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by…

  • 24129 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many, if any, of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, are classified as (a) frontline, (b) frontline-enabling, and (c) back-office, and what definition…

  • 24174 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many FTE positions, if any, are expected to be disestablished across the agencies, departments and other entities for which the Minister is responsible as a result of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible…

  • 24180 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Will the Minister provide a list of every role title being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, the number of FTE associated with each role title, and the tier (Tier 1, 2,…

  • 24181 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, how many were (a) filled by a permanent employee, (b) filled by a fixed-term employee, (c) filled by a secondee,…

  • 24192 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many roles, if any, expressed as both (a) full-time equivalents and (b) headcount, are being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and over what period will those…

  • 24939 (matches this search)

    Question published

    For each agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, what is the forecast payback period, in months, i.e. the time before the disestablishment of roles (if any) made as part of…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I am responsible for the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai. This agency was not included in the Budget 2026 public service cuts and as such, it is exempt from roles disestablishment and associated…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 25 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The following documents are from Inland Revenue: 26/05/2026 IR2026/154 Vote Revenue: 2026 June Technical Adjustment Request 26/05/2026 IR2026/126 Quarterly performance and debt reports for January to March 2026 28/05/2026 BN2026/156…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 25 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

As the Minister of Local Government, I received the following advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents from the Department of Internal Affairs during the week beginning 25 May 2026. • 25/05/2026 - PM Brief -…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 25 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The titles of papers I received from the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change are considered for proactive release each month and are published on the…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 25 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

25/05/2026 Double Tax Agreement with the United Kingdom – Updated for Sovereign Immunity in Relation to Dividends 25/05/2026 Taxation (Budget Measures) Bill (No 3): Approval for Introduction

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

In my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change, I took one paper to Cabinet on the week beginning 25 May 2026. It is not in the public interest to release the title of this paper as it is commercially sensitive.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 11 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The following documents are from Inland Revenue: 11/05/2026 BN2026/148 Budget Bill - Family scheme income legislative flexibility 13/05/2026 BN2026/147 Information release for review – Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025–26, Compliance…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 11 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

I refer the member to my response to WPQ 19437 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 11 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The titles of papers I received from the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change are considered for proactive release each month and are published on the…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 11 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 11 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 11 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 11 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

None

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 11 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    For each agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, what is the forecast payback period, in months, i.e. the time before the disestablishment of roles (if any) made as part of…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

No decisions have been made about roles that may be affected by savings targets through Budget 2026.

Questions published
See individual question dates
Reply lodged

Questions

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    20177 (matches this search)

    Question published

    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 18/05/2026, by title and date?

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    20672 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 18 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

As the Minister of Local Government, I received the following advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents from the Department of Internal Affairs during the week beginning 18 May 2026 • Talking points and goatskin for…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 18 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The following documents are from Inland Revenue: 19/05/2026 IR2026/155 Officials’ issues paper – Current GST issues 21/05/2026 BN2026/149 Inland Revenue’s role in disrupting organised crime 21/05/2026 26SR19 Weekly Status Report The…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 18 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The titles of papers I received from the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change are considered for proactive release each month and are published on the…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 18 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Deborah Russell

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 18 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 18 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 18 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury, or any other agency regarding the feasibility, cost, delivery…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

I have not received advice on this matter.

Questions published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 20987 (2026), 21401 (2026), 21404 (2026), 21409 (2026), 21422 (2026), 21430 (2026), 21431 (2026), 21767 (2026), 21770 (2026), 21776 (2026), 21784 (2026), 21791 (2026), 21807 (2026), 22126 (2026), 22135 (2026), 22147 (2026), 22148 (2026), 22161 (2026), 22531 (2026), 22550 (2026), 22848 (2026), 22871 (2026), 22881 (2026), 22886 (2026), 22900 (2026), 22911 (2026), 23182 (2026), 23239 (2026), 23255 (2026), 23256 (2026), 23268 (2026), 23285 (2026), 23549 (2026), 23600 (2026), 23616 (2026), 23628 (2026), 23636 (2026), 23651 (2026), 23920 (2026), 23974 (2026), 23985 (2026), 23990 (2026), 24003 (2026)

  • 20975 (matches this search)

    Which AI vendors, products, or platforms are expected to be procured, expanded, or relied upon as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; what is the forecast contract value of each, in which…

  • 20976 (matches this search)

    What evidence base, including any business cases, pilot results, productivity studies, benchmark data, or independent advice, was relied upon in determining that AI could absorb the workload of the roles being disestablished as part of…

  • 20977 (matches this search)

    Has any (a) algorithmic impact assessment, (b) Privacy Impact Assessment, (c) Treaty of Waitangi impact assessment, or (d) Health and Safety at Work Act psychosocial risk assessment been completed in respect of the AI tools being deployed…

  • 20983 (matches this search)

    What is the total forecast spend on (a) AI software licences and subscriptions, (b) AI-related cloud and compute infrastructure, (c) AI implementation consultants and systems integrators, (d) AI-related staff training and change…

Show the remaining 43 questions
  • 20987 (matches this search)

    How many, if any, of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will have any of their functions or tasks performed, in whole or in part, by artificial…

  • 21401 (matches this search)

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, has the Minister received advice that the functions could be performed more cost-effectively if the entity…

  • 21404 (matches this search)

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, what is the forecast one-off cost of abolition or merger, including disestablishment, transition, legal and IT…

  • 21409 (matches this search)

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, which functions will (a) cease entirely, (b) transfer to another entity, or (c) be performed by a…

  • 21422 (matches this search)

    For entities being abolished or merged as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, what was the total appropriation in 2024/25, if anything, and what is the forecast total cost of the functions…

  • 21430 (matches this search)

    Has any psychosocial risk assessment been conducted in respect of the restructure being undertaken as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, under Health and Safety at Work Act obligations, if any,…

  • 21431 (matches this search)

    Has the Minister received any advice that role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will worsen results in staff engagement, workplace wellbeing, sick leave, or…

  • 21767 (matches this search)

    How does the role reduction being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for compare, as a proportion of workforce, across the portfolio, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company,…

  • 21770 (matches this search)

    Has the Minister sought or received advice on whether roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will need to be re-hired within the next 24 months, and what is the…

  • 21776 (matches this search)

    What proportion of the current workforce does the role reduction being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for represent, if any, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

  • 21784 (matches this search)

    What support, including outplacement, retraining, and mental health support, if any, is being made available to staff affected by savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, and at what cost, broken down by…

  • 21791 (matches this search)

    How many staff affected by savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for are being offered redeployment to other roles within the same entity or elsewhere in the public service, if any, and what is the forecast…

  • 21807 (matches this search)

    How many of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, will be achieved by (a) voluntary redundancy, (b) involuntary redundancy, (c) non-replacement of…

  • 22126 (matches this search)

    What is the total forecast cost of restructures being undertaken as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, including (a) redundancy payments, (b) outplacement support, (c) change-management…

  • 22135 (matches this search)

    Have any functions been transferred to another entity as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; if so, has the receiving entity been given any additional baseline funding, and how much,…

  • 22147 (matches this search)

    What, if anything, is the average daily rate paid for external consultants and contractors, and how does this compare to the equivalent daily cost of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 22148 (matches this search)

    What, if anything, is the forecast contractor and consultant spend in each of the next four financial years as a consequence of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, by category of spend, broken…

  • 22161 (matches this search)

    Will any work previously undertaken by roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, be performed by (a) external consultants, (b) contractors, (c) labour-hire staff,…

  • 22531 (matches this search)

    Will any obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including obligations under Treaty settlement legislation, be affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if…

  • 22550 (matches this search)

    Has the Minister been advised of any risks to the health, safety or wellbeing of New Zealanders arising from the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and if…

  • 22848 (matches this search)

    What is the forecast change in (a) processing times, (b) wait times, (c) call-answer times, and (d) complaint resolution times for services provided in the 12 months following the role reductions being made as part of savings made in…

  • 22871 (matches this search)

    What is the forecast change to each published performance measure (as set out in the most recent Statement of Performance Expectations or equivalent), if any, as a result of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget…

  • 22881 (matches this search)

    Which statutory functions, if any, are affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and has the Minister received legal advice as to whether each…

  • 22886 (matches this search)

    Which specific functions, services, programmes or work streams, if any, will be reduced, ceased, or transferred elsewhere as a consequence of the role disestablishments being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 22900 (matches this search)

    Which statutory functions, if any, are affected by the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and has the Minister received legal advice as to whether each…

  • 22911 (matches this search)

    Which specific functions, services, programmes or work streams will be reduced, ceased, or transferred elsewhere as a consequence of the role disestablishments being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is…

  • 23182 (matches this search)

    What is the forecast impact, if any, of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, on the gender pay gap and the ethnic pay gap, broken down by agency,…

  • 23239 (matches this search)

    Has any equity impact assessment, gender impact assessment, or Treaty of Waitangi impact assessment been completed in respect of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible…

  • 23255 (matches this search)

    How many, if any of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, are held by employees who have self-identified as having a disability, broken down by agency,…

  • 23256 (matches this search)

    What is the geographic and regional distribution of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by city or region and by agency, department, Crown…

  • 23268 (matches this search)

    What is the age-band breakdown of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for…

  • 23285 (matches this search)

    What is the ethnicity breakdown (Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian, European, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Other) of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for,…

  • 23549 (matches this search)

    What is the gender breakdown of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, compared to the gender composition of each workforce as a whole, broken down by…

  • 23600 (matches this search)

    What is the forecast change in spending, if any, on (a) external consultants, (b) contractors, and (c) temporary or labour-hire staff in each of the next four financial years as a consequence of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the…

  • 23616 (matches this search)

    What is the total forecast cost of redundancy and severance payments, if any, associated with the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what is the average…

  • 23628 (matches this search)

    What is the distribution of roles, if any, being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, across salary bands in $20,000 increments (e.g. $60,000–$79,999, $80,000–$99,999,…

  • 23636 (matches this search)

    What is the (a) mean, (b) median, (c) 25th percentile, and (d) 75th percentile salary of the roles, if any, being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by…

  • 23651 (matches this search)

    What is the total annual salary cost (including employer KiwiSaver contributions and ACC levies) of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, broken down by…

  • 23920 (matches this search)

    How many, if any, of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, are classified as (a) frontline, (b) frontline-enabling, and (c) back-office, and what definition…

  • 23974 (matches this search)

    Will the Minister provide a list of every role title being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, the number of FTE associated with each role title, and the tier (Tier 1, 2,…

  • 23985 (matches this search)

    Of the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, how many were (a) filled by a permanent employee, (b) filled by a fixed-term employee, (c) filled by a secondee,…

  • 23990 (matches this search)

    How many FTE positions, if any, are expected to be disestablished across the agencies, departments and other entities for which the Minister is responsible as a result of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible…

  • 24003 (matches this search)

    How many roles, if any, expressed as both (a) full-time equivalents and (b) headcount, are being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and over what period will those…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

As part of Budget 26, Cabinet has agreed to a programme of reform aimed at transforming the public service to streamline how it is organised, accelerate digital transformation, strengthen leadership and talent and improve efficiency and…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, or the Public Service Commission advise against any element of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The public sector transformation announced in the Minister of Finance’s speech on 19 May is included in Budget 2026. The Budget will be followed by a proactive release of documents informing budget decisions, including advice related to…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, or the Public Service Commission advise against any element of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The public sector transformation announced in the Minister of Finance’s speech on 19 May is included in Budget 2026. The Budget will be followed by a proactive release of documents informing budget decisions, including advice related to…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What savings target, if any, expressed in dollars or FTE, was set as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, by whom, and on what date, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

For Budget 26 baseline savings targets I refer the Member to page 66 and 67 of the following document: https://budget.govt.nz/budget/pdfs/summary-initiatives/b26-sum-initiatives.pdf

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Were any relevant unions consulted prior to the announcement of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; if so, on what date, and were the unions provided with…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

No

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Was the Public Service Commissioner consulted on the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what advice did the Commissioner provide, if anything, broken…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The Public Service Commissioner was aware of the FTE reductions proposed as part of Budget announcements. The public sector transformation announced in the Minister of Finance’s speech on 19 May is included in Budget 2026. The Budget will…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice regarding the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and from whom, broken down by agency,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

The public sector transformation announced in the Minister of Finance’s speech on 19 May is included in Budget 2026. The Budget will be followed by a proactive release of documents informing budget decisions, including advice related to…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What savings target, if any, expressed in dollars or FTE, was set as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, by whom, and on what date, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

For Budget 26 baseline savings targets I refer the Member to page 66 and 67 of the following document: https://budget.govt.nz/budget/pdfs/summary-initiatives/b26-sum-initiatives.pdf

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Were any relevant unions consulted prior to the announcement of the role reductions being made as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any; if so, on what date, and were the unions provided with…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

No.