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Written questions

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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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Showing 51 to 100 of 1661 written question sets.

Answered

Question 41050 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Where, if anywhere, are drinking water supplies currently facing additional monitoring requirements for nitrate as a result of exceeding half of the Maximum Acceptable Value for nitrate in drinking water?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

All registered supplies with source water exceeding 50 percent of the MAV for nitrate are required to undertake additional nitrate monitoring. When nitrate levels in treated drinking water exceed the MAV, the supplier and the laboratory…

Answered

Question 41051 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Where, if anywhere, were 'boil water' notices issued in 2026 to date, listed by name and location?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The attached table lists the supply names and locations for ‘boil water’ notices issued in 2026 as at 31 August 2026.

Answered

Question 41052 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Where, if anywhere, were 'do not drink' notices issued in 2026 to date, listed by name and location?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The attached table lists the supply names and locations for ‘do not drink’ notices issued in 2026 as at 31 August 2026.

Answered

Question 41053 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Where, if anywhere, have breaches of the Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations been found in 2026 to date, and what measure of water quality did the breaches relate to?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The attached table lists laboratory notifications of breaches of the Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations by supply name, location, and determined breached.

Answered

Question 41054 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many, if any, do not drink notices have been issued in 2026 to date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai advises that suppliers issued 60 ‘do not drink’ notices between 1 January 2026 and 31 August 2026.

Answered

Question 41055 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many, if any, boil water notices have been issued in 2026 to date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai advises that suppliers issued 59 ‘boil water’ notices between 1 January 2026 and 31 August 2026.

Answered

Question 41056 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When, exactly, will Taumata Arowai publish its "Drinking Water Regulation Report 2025"?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai published the Drinking Water Regulation Report 2025 on 21 September 2026.

Answered

Question 40971 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister had regarding clause 15A of the Natural Environment Bill, "Considering climate change effects"?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I did not receive formal written advice from my officials on this matter.

Answered

Question 41002 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What communications has the Minister had, if any, from Councils or Local Government New Zealand regarding the timeframes for Representation Reviews and/or requests for the ability to defer them?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received communications regarding timeframes for representation reviews and requests for the ability to defer them from Local Government New Zealand and a number of councils. These communications have been delivered in the form of…

Answered

Question 41011 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What, if anything, was the original amount of Better Off Funding allocated for the Existing Tenant Support Fund by the Department of Internal Affairs in 2022?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As part of their Better Off proposal, Wellington City Council elected to apportion $7.42 million of their Better Off Fund allocation to establish a community housing provider tenant support fund.

Answered

Question 40683 (2026)

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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 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

None

Answered

40705, 40885 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    40705 (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 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    40885 (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their office received, if any, during the week beginning 07/09/2026, by title and date?

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 Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Towns during the week beginning 29 June 2026 • 7/09/2026…

Answered

Question 40749 (2026)

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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 7 September 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 in my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are considered for proactive release each month and are published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and…

Answered

Question 40753 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · 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 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction

Answer

A list of the briefings I have received from MBIE is proactively available on the MBIE website. You can access this information at the following link:…

Answered

Question 40756 (2026)

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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 7 September 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).

Answered

Question 40775 (2026)

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Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, documents, or correspondence if any, did the Minister or any member of his office, receive on identifying and developing options across major emitting sectors to support the third emissions budget, since January 1st…

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 received the following advice since 1 January 2026 on identifying and developing options across major emitting sectors to support the third emissions budget: Ministry for the Environment:…

Answered

Question 40779 (2026)

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Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What evidence, if any, does the Minister have that New Zealand is on track to meet the third emissions budget (EB3)?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The evidence contained in New Zealand's latest projected Greenhouse Gas emissions indicates that over the EB3 period (2031–2035), against a budget of 240 Mt CO2-e, New Zealand is expected to emit 249 Mt CO2-e in the central estimate, 234…

Answered

Question 40782 (2026)

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Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When was the Minister first informed that Emissions Trading Scheme alone will not be sufficient to meet the third emissions budget (EB3)?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have never held the view that the ETS alone will be sufficient to meet Emissions Budgets, including EB3. Emissions budgets are "all sectors, all gases" targets, which include sectors not covered by the ETS. Complementary policies within…

Answered

Question 40789 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, documents, correspondence or briefings has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on whether Councils face potential credit rating downgrades due to the rates capping legislation and what did it indicate?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As I stated in response to WPQ 39157 officials had numerous conversations with credit rating agencies, the concerns of credit rating agencies has been considered in the design of the legislation. I received advice throughout the…

Answered

Question 40797 (2026)

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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 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

The following documents are from Inland Revenue: 09/09/2026 IR2026/205 Current GST Issues – Further feedback from submissions 10/09/2026 26SR35 Weekly Status Report 10/09/2026 BN2026/274 Investment Boost – Update and interaction with RDTI…

Answered

Question 40820 (2026)

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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 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40823 (2026)

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Asked by

Chlöe Swarbrick

Member for Auckland Central · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What evidence, if any, does the Minister have that “many other countries are also in similar positions” in regards to finding it difficult to achieve their Paris Agreement targets?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The fact that many countries are expected to have difficulty with their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris agreement is a matter of public record. This is referenced regularly in various publications, for example the OCED…

Answered

Question 40865 (2026)

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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 7 September 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 the following paper to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026. 7/09/2026 Proposed Overseas Travel: Hon Simon Watts – 9 – 12 September 2026

Answered

Question 40868 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40870 (2026)

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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 7 September 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 40884 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 07/09/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39777 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister read the Review into the Future for Local Government Report and if he has, what actions, if any, does he believe would be valuable next steps?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not read the report in full.

Answered

Question 39780 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, documents or briefings has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on any alternative or additional funding mechanisms for local government such as GST sharing, congestion/time of use charging, or accommodation…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received the following advice and briefings on alternative or additional funding mechanisms for local government, including GST sharing, congestion or time-of-use charging, and an accommodation levy: • 25/01/2024 - Briefing -…

Answered

39387, 39637, 39711 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    39387 (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 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    39637 (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 31/08/2026, by title and date?

  • Asked by

    Mike Davidson

    List MP · Green Party

    39711 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What advice, reports, briefings, aides memoire, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?

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 29 August 2026 • 31/08/2026- Meeting with…

Answered

Question 39654 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people, if any, have written to the Minister with a complaint about non-elected members on Council committees, between January 1 2026 and June 2 2026, by month?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I receive a very large amount of correspondence. This correspondence is not categorised by the specific nature of any complaint, eg: unelected members. To answer the member's question, my office would need…

Answered

Question 39713 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports or briefings, has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the impact that removing water services from the rates calculation as a result of Local Water Done Well and/or Rates Capping legislation, will…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not received any advice, reports or briefings specifically on the impact that removing water services from rates calculations as a result of Local Water Done Well and/or rates capping legislation would have on rates increases.

Answered

Question 39714 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has the Minister received of the change in the total amount of central government funding transferred to local authorities over the three years from 1 July 2027, across all portfolios and not only transport, broken…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39715 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the average rates increase set by each council for the 2026/27 financial year, broken down by council, and how does each compare with the level of the proposed cap on rates increases?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Data shows that based on their reported rates increases, most councils are currently operating outside of the proposed rates cap target range of 2-4%. Sixty-five councils are above 4%, four are below 2% and the remaining nine are within…

Answered

Question 39716 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many councils, if any, have advised the Minister or the Department of Internal Affairs that the reduction in the share of their land transport costs met by the New Zealand Transport Agency from 2027/28 will affect their ability to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am aware of general concerns about the effect that changes to the New Zealand Transport Agency’s funding assistance rates may have on council finances. However, I have not received advice identifying the number of councils that have…

Answered

38173, 39646 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    38173 (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 24 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Mike Davidson

    List MP · Green Party

    39646 (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 24 August 2026, by title and date?

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 aides-mémoires, briefings, memos, notes, reports or any other advice during the week beginning 24 August 2026: • 24/08/2026 - Meeting with Mayor Mahé Drysdale: Tauranga…

Answered

Question 39364 (2026)

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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 31 August 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: 31/08/2026 BN2026-266 Commissioner setting the FBT prescribed rate of interest 31/08/2026 BN2026/272 Approaches to reducing the overdue tax debt book 1/09/2026 BN2026/230 Tax forecasts for…

Answered

Question 39430 (2026)

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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 31 August 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 in my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are considered for proactive release each month and are published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and…

Answered

Question 39433 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · 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 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction

Answer

A list of the briefings I have received from MBIE is proactively available on the MBIE website. You can access this information at the following link:…

Answered

Question 39435 (2026)

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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 31 August 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).

Answered

Question 39467 (2026)

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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 31 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

31/08/2026 Orders in Council for Approved Information Sharing Agreement between Inland Revenue And MBIE

Answered

39487, 39635 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    39487 (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    39635 (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31/08/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39527 (2026)

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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 31 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None

Answered

Question 39530 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Building and Construction

Answer

I took three papers to Cabinet in the week beginning 31 August 2026. Please see the attached. In the interest of transparency, I proactively release papers considered by Cabinet on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment…

Answered

Question 39532 (2026)

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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 31 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39643 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39648 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What portion of the average 14% rates increase across the country used in his answer to an oral question on 26 August 2026 that "In 2024, we saw average rates increases across the country of 14 percent. If we’d had a 4 percent rates cap at…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The 14% increases relate to median projected total rates increases, as reported in the Local Government Performance information on the MCERT website.

Answered

Question 39649 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister apologise to the Waitaki District Council for using their 2026/27 Annual Plan to demonstrate the savings a rates cap could have made in answer to oral question 4 on 26 August 2026, without first taking out the water…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 39650 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Minister include the 31.4% water services portion of the Watiaki District Council's Annual Plan in answer to an oral question on ‘how much ratepayers could save with a rates cap?' on August 26th, when water services are…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The example was given to demonstrate the delta between the proposed increase and a hypothetical 4% increase.

Answered

Question 39653 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

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    Does the Minister agree with Mayors Phil Mauger and Mel Tavendale and LGNZ that many of the drivers of rates’ increases, such as government mandates, inflation, insurance and interest rates, are out of their Council’s control and, if so,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I agree that many factors drive council rates, and that councils can control some more than others. Consideration of what should and should not be included in the rates cap during the policy development process.

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Question 39299 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

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    Did the rates savings figure of $15 800 over ten years if a 4% rates cap was in place, that the Minister used for Hamilton City Council's 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, in answer to Oral Question 1 on 3 September include the water service portion…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.