Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 751 to 800 of 1661 written question sets.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 04/05/2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister have a target for a certain number of Auckland portfolio meetings or events a week, if so, what is it?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
No.
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
Does the Minister receive regular fortnightly reports from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for the Auckland portfolio?
Does the Minister receive regular weekly reports from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for the Auckland portfolio?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
I receive regular fortnightly reports from MBIE.
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
What are the Minister’s priorities for the Auckland portfolio?
What targets, if any, has he set himself in the portfolio?
What targets, if any, has the Prime Minister set him in the portfolio?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
My Targets and goals for the Auckland Portfolio and for all other Ministerial portfolios can be found in the coalition agreements and the Speech from the Throne.
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many meetings, if any, has he had since he was appointed as the Minister for Auckland?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
My diary is proactively released and can be found on the Beehive website. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/search?f%5B0%5D=content_type_facet%3Aministerial_diary&f%5B1%5D=ministers%3A6808&f%5B2%5D=government_facet%3A6700
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date, if any, did he receive a briefing to the incoming Minister?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
2/04/2026
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister have a target for reducing the level of unemployment in Auckland, if so, what is it?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
The government has a target for unemployment, available on the Beehive website. The government does not have an Auckland-specific unemployment target as it is included within this target:…
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the total number of staff in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, if any, that are permanently assigned to the Auckland portfolio?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
There are 3 MBIE staff that support the Auckland portfolio as part of their broader substantive roles, plus a part time Private Secretary.
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What feedback, if any, has he received from the stakeholders on his appointment as Minister for Auckland?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
Since becoming Minister of Auckland, I have received several items of correspondence welcoming me to the portfolio and had several meetings with Auckland stakeholders to discuss the Auckland portfolio and Auckland matters.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the impact of climate change on the occurrence of drinking water notices, such as do not drink and boil water notices?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has not provided advice to the Minister on this area.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has the Minister received from Taumata Arowai on the risk of elevated nitrates in water to households on private drinking water supplies?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
In 2024, following the elevated nitrate levels in source water in the Lower Waihao rural water supply, the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai informed the Minister of the assurance sought from Waimate District Council that it had…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What has Taumata Arowai found in reviewing the first full year of council reporting against wastewater environmental performance measures, as mentioned in the Q2 2025/26 report?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
In July, the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai will publish the first full year of reporting against the wastewater measures in the Network Environmental Performance Report for 2024/2025. The Report will provide national-level…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What progress has been made in the last month on addressing the ongoing contamination of school drinking water supplies?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is monitoring the progress of the Ministry of Education’s drinking water safety upgrade programme in schools. The Authority receives updates from the Ministry of Education on work underway. The…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Has Taumata Arowai identified shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in any drinking water supplies other than the campground drinking water at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp in September 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No. The type of E. coli (e.g. STEC) would typically only be tested for when there is an outbreak of illness to determine the potential source of the outbreak.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
When, if at all, does the Minister expect to publicly consult on the "further tranche of wastewater standards to strengthen national consistency and deliver ongoing efficiency and cost benefits", as mentioned in the Taumata Arowai…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Public consultation on Tranche 2 of the wastewater standards is currently scheduled for the second half of 2026.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
When does the Minister expect the "Work... already underway on a further tranche of wastewater standards to strengthen national consistency and deliver ongoing efficiency and cost benefits" to be completed, as mentioned in the Taumata…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Subject to Cabinet decision-making and public consultation, Tranche 2 of the wastewater standards are scheduled to be completed by mid-2027.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
What will be regulated by the "further tranche of wastewater standards" mentioned in the Taumata Arowai Quarterly Performance Report Q2 2025/26 1 October - 31 December 2025?
What is covered by the "Work... already underway on a further tranche of wastewater standards to strengthen national consistency and deliver ongoing efficiency and cost benefits", as mentioned in the Taumata Arowai Quarterly Performance…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The proposals for Tranche 2 of the wastewater standards are under development and will be considered by Cabinet ahead of public consultation.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What cost pressures within relevant portfolio Votes, if any, has the Minister been informed of since 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
Budget 2026 will be delivered on 28 May and Budget information remains confidential before that date. I direct the member to the upcoming examination of the Estimates by select committee which includes questions on cost pressures.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What cost pressures within relevant portfolio Votes, if any, has the Minister been informed of since 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue
Budget 2026 will be delivered on 28 May and Budget information remains confidential before that date. I direct the member to the upcoming examination of the Estimates by select committee which includes questions on cost pressures.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What cost pressures within relevant portfolio Votes, if any, has the Minister been informed of since 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Budget 2026 will be delivered on 28 May and Budget information remains confidential before that date. I direct the member to the upcoming examination of the Estimates by select committee which includes questions on cost pressures.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What cost pressures within relevant portfolio Votes, if any, has the Minister been informed of since 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
Budget 2026 will be delivered on 28 May and Budget information remains confidential before that date. I direct the member to the upcoming examination of the Estimates by select committee which includes questions on cost pressures.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
Question published
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
Question published
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
None
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
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 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
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 27 April 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
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…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, listed by title and date, did the Minister or his office receive or request in relation to the climate adaptation framework after receiving the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
Between the date I received this report and the date of this question, none.
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
What, if any, risks to the economy were highlighted by the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment, and were these risks linked to the NZU price trajectory?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
I refer the Member to reply number 18128 (2026)
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
Is the Minister confident that the Government's approach to the climate adaptation framework is able to manage the risks, if any, identified in the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment, if so, how?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
I am confident the government's approach, contained within the National Adaptation Framework and other workstreams. I expect to more comprehensively respond commensurate with S5ZT of the Climate Change Response Act, which requires the…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
On what date did the Minister receive, if at all, the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
30 April 2026
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
What, if any, risks to the financial system were highlighted by the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment, and were these risks linked to the NZU price trajectory?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
As this report is not yet publicly available and will be available in full to the member shortly, I do not consider it in the public interest to answer questions on its specific findings.
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
Were there any new risks in the 2026 Climate Change Risk Assessment linked to the potential NZU unit shortfall in the late 2020s, if so, what were these?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
I refer the Member to reply number 18128 (2026)
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
Why might there be a NZU shortfall in the late 2020s?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
Climate Change Commission's ETS Advice for 2026 states: "Over the last year, the surplus has continued to be drawn down faster than expected. This results in a risk of a unit shortfall under status quo auction volumes." The assessment of…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
What risks, if any, to the built environment were identified in the 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
I refer the Member to reply number 18128 (2026)
Asked by
Deborah Russell
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 27 April 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue
The following titles are from Inland Revenue: 28/04/2026 BN2026/097: Tax monitoring report: Collections to March 2026 30/04/2026 BN2026/133: Information release for review - 2026 Tax Expenditure Statement 30/04/2026 26SR16: Weekly Status…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · 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 27 April 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
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 27 April 2026: • Meeting with Local…
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · 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 27 April 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment proactively release the dates and titles of documents provided to me on its website. You can find the releases here:…
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue
None.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None
Asked by
Carmel Sepuloni
Member for Kelston · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 April 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland
None.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the outcomes or progress of inter-council partnership arrangements involving Canterbury councils?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
I have received the following advice from the Department of Internal Affairs about inter-council partnership arrangements involving Canterbury councils: • Briefing: Simplifying Local Government - Preliminary Overview of Council…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which Canterbury councils, if any, have formally communicated with the Minister's office about joining or partnering with other councils, and on what dates was that correspondence received?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
On 2 December 2025, I received a letter from the Mayor of Christchurch, Phil Mauger, outlining two potential governance options aligned with the Simplifying Local Government initiative, one of which involved other Canterbury councils.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What reports or communications, if any, has the Minister received regarding partnerships or amalgamation discussions between Canterbury local authorities and other councils, and what do those reports indicate about the status of such…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
I have not received any reports or communications regarding amalgamation discussions between Canterbury local authorities and other councils. In relation to reports or communications concerning partnerships between Canterbury local…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Further to 12058 (2026), how many other candidates, if any, were considered for the board role position where the appointee was not drawn from a shortlist provided to the responsible Minister?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
One candidate.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received from or sent to council-controlled organisations since 1 January 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As the Minister of Local Government, I have received the following correspondence from council controlled organisations since 1 January 2025: Watercare Services Limited, Auckland • Infrastructure - December 2025 • Central Interceptor…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What meetings, if any, has the Minister held with representatives of council-controlled organisations since 1 January 2025, and on what dates did those meetings occur?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Events and meetings that I attend are published on the Beehive website as part of the publication of Ministerial diaries summary as such this information is already publicly available.
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What communications, if any, has the Minister received from, or sent to, mayors specifically regarding water infrastructure or water services since 1 January 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As the Minister of Local Government, I have received and sent the below communications with mayors regarding water infrastructure and water services since 1 January 2025. These communications have included correspondence and meetings on…
Asked by
Tangi Utikere
Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What are the most recent local government rates increase projections that have been shared with or provided to the Minister, if any, broken down by date and council?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As the Minister of Local Government, I received local government rates increase projections through a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that informed Cabinet decisions on rates capping in late 2025. The projections were drawn from…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 27 April 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
The Member can find my diary proactively released on the Beehive website. I do not consider it in the public interest to prepare a list of meetings I did not attend, or declined to attend, for the Member.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What would have been achieved by making amendments to the Water Services Act 2021, short-term consequential amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), and amendments through the reform of the RMA?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No amendments were made to the Water Services Act 2021 or as short term consequential amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 as these powers are currently held by the Environmental Protection Authority. Any such amendments would…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Further to 16440 (2026), why did the "short-term and long-term legislative options" need the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 to be invoked for them to be progressed?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As those matters are provided for under the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011, legislative authority under that Act would have been required for the options to progress.
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, listed by title and date received, has the Minister received on the Climate Change Commission's April ETS settings advice ?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
In addition to the Climate Change Commission’s advice titled ‘NZ ETS unit limits and price control settings for 2027–2031’, I have also received the following advice from Ministry for the Environment officials: 23/04/2026: 2026 ETS…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
Have officials advised the Minister on the risks to New Zealand's economy caused by volatile price spikes due to a potential NZU shortfall, if so, what were these risks?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
Officials regularly provide me with advice on the NZ ETS, including advice as part of the annual ETS Settings process. In their advice they outline a range of risks. This advice is market sensitive and will be proactively released when…