Skip to main content

Written questions

Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.

Filters
Asked by All MPs
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
Portfolio All portfolios
Question published between

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

Clear all filters

Showing 101 to 150 of 1661 written question sets.

Answered

Question 39157 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice has the Minister had, if any, on whether the 2% minimum rates increase level proposed in the Local Government (Rates Capping) Bill is "designed to be enough to cover maintenance" and mitigate council credit rating downgrades,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised that officials had numerous conversations with credit rating agencies, the concerns of credit rating agencies has been considered in the design of the legislation.

Answered

Question 38622 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following 3993 (2026), did the Minister for Local Government alert the Minister for Education that the list of places where 'do not drink' notices were issued included a number of schools?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I wrote to the Minister of Education concerning the safety of school drinking water supplies and the incidence of ‘do not drink’ notices in 2025. The Water Services Authority is monitoring progress on the Ministry of Education’s programme…

Answered

Question 38660 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38897 (2026). Climate Change Commission: I am advised that the Climate Change…

Answered

Question 38662 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2023/24 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38895 (2026). Climate Change Commission: I am advised that the Climate Change…

Answered

Question 38663 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38888 (2026). Climate Change Commission: I am advised that the Climate Change…

Answered

Question 38664 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2024/25 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38885 (2026). Climate Change Commission: I am advised that the Climate Change…

Answered

Question 38670 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38923 (2026). Climate Change Commission: I am advised that the Climate Change…

Answered

Question 38756 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise that AI is embedded in most solutions in use at Inland Revenue; therefore, the amount spent specifically on AI cannot be calculated. Vendor pricing models often encompass the full suite of product features, without…

Answered

Question 38759 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2024/25 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise AI is embedded in most solutions in use at Inland Revenue; therefore, the amount spent specifically on AI cannot be calculated. Vendor pricing models often encompass the full suite of product features, without…

Answered

Question 38764 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise that in 2024-25 Inland Revenue’s expenditure on consultants and contractors was $22.453 million for operating and $7.725 million for capital.

Answered

Question 38772 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2023/24 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise AI is embedded in most solutions in use at Inland Revenue; therefore, the amount spent specifically on AI cannot be calculated. Vendor pricing models often encompass the full suite of product features, without…

Answered

Question 38780 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much was the total cost in New Zealand dollar terms, if any, of redundancy processes initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 38992 (2026) and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform’s response to written…

Answered

Question 38786 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise that in 2025-26 Inland Revenue’s expenditure on consultants and contractors was $26.150 million for operating and $4.334 million for capital.

Answered

Question 38853 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2023/24 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai did not spend money on artificial intelligence in the 2023/24 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2023/24 financial…

Answered

Question 38855 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $28,611 on artificial intelligence in the 2025/26 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2025/26 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38857 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2024/25 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $19,841 on artificial intelligence in the 2024/25 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2024/25 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38860 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $1,637,612 on consultants between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2024/25 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38873 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much was the total cost in New Zealand dollar terms, if any, of redundancy processes initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise Inland Revenue has spent a total of $5.6 million on redundancy costs since 27 November 2023.

Answered

Question 38883 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $2,104,854 on consultants between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2025/26 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38958 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much was the total cost in New Zealand dollar terms, if any, of redundancy processes initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Since 27 November 2023, the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has made redundancy payments totalling $428,365.27. From 27 November 2023 until 30 June 2026, The Local Government Commission (LGC) was hosted within the Department of…

Answered

Question 38986 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many redundancy processes have been initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport: I refer the member to the Minister for the Environment’s response to written parliamentary question 39144 (2026) and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform’s response to written…

Answered

Question 39067 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many redundancy processes have been initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

Officials advise from 27 November 2023, Inland Revenue conducted ten separate restructuring processes where redundancy was a possible outcome.

Answered

Question 39108 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When, if ever has the Minister for Local Government discussed with the Minister for Education the five schools across New Zealand (Five Forks School, Te Kowhai School, Ashburton Borough School – Lagmhor site, Harrisville School, and Te…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Minister of Education and I have discussed the need to address drinking water safety and compliance for all self-supplied schools. I have not discussed these specific schools with the Minister of Education.

Answered

39109, 39110 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Questions

  • 39109 (matches this search)

    Is the Minister aware that five schools across New Zealand (Five Forks School, Te Kowhai School, Ashburton Borough School – Lagmhor site, Harrisville School, and Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha) have changed or upgraded their drinking water…

  • 39110 (matches this search)

    Following Reply 36520 (2026), is the Minister aware that, as per Reply 37325 (2026) from the Minister of Education, that Five Forks School in Otago has changed or upgraded its drinking water supply as a result of exceeding the nitrate…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am aware of Reply 37325 (2026).

Answered

Question 39117 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following Reply 37168 (2026), what prompted the Minister to write his undated letter to "Mayors, Chairs and Chief Executives" of councils "regarding the use of climate change assumptions in council planning, infrastructure investment,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

This is set out in the letter itself: "The Government is increasingly concerned that some climate-related planning and investment decisions may be relying on high-end emissions scenarios in a way that results in unnecessary costs being…

Answered

Question 39118 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister, or any member of his office, received on the establishment of a regulator for the development and oversight of the Council rates cap and/or how the costs of the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

A regulatory analysis summary was made available on the website of the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport alongside the release of the Bill. That is available here:…

Answered

Question 39137 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What authorities would have been granted an exemption to a rates cap, listed by the specific weather event or natural disaster the exemption would have been allowed for, had the proposed rates cap been in place for the last three years; if…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Under the framework introduced in the Local Government (Rates Capping) Amendment Bill, decisions on type 1 exemptions to the council rates cap are made after advice from the independent central government regulator. As this regulator has…

Answered

Question 39138 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many redundancy processes have been initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has initiated six redundancy processes since 27 November 2023. From 27 November 2023 until 30 June 2026, The Local Government Commission (LGC) was hosted within the Department of Internal…

Answered

Question 38105 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice has the minister had on the implementation of rates capping in other jurisdictions and the impact that has had on levels of service and delivery and maintenance of infrastructure and how has that advice (if any) been…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Officials provided advice on the experience in other jurisdictions, through briefings on 13 December 2024 and 13 February 2025, and a summary of the New South Wales State Parliament Inquiry into Ability of local governments to fund…

Answered

Question 38151 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 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: 24/08/2026 IR2026/239 – Vote Revenue: 2026 Pre-Election Fiscal update for non-departmental expenditure appropriations 24/08/2026 IR2026/258 – Vote Revenue: 2026 Pre-election Economic and…

Answered

Question 38216 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 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 38219 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 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 38221 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 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 38257 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue

Answer

24/08/2026 Orders in Council for Double Tax Agreements with the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia 24/08/2026 Measures for Inclusion in the 2026-27 Annual Rates Bill

Answered

Question 38277 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 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 38320 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 August 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 24 August 2026. 24/08/2026 Report on Overseas Travel: Hon Simon Watts – July 2026

Answered

Question 38323 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 August 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 38326 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 38342 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What were the other reasons that the budget for rates rebates was reduced in Financial Year 2026/27 apart from the shift to NZ SuperGold Card holders and has the Minister had any advice on raising the threshold for all low income…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The budget for the Rates Rebate Scheme has not been reduced. An appropriation of $117 million is forecast for the Scheme in 2026/27. This is an increase of $3 million from the 2025/26 budget of $114 million. Of the $117 million for…

Answered

Question 37864 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the drivers of Council rates increases and/or any impact that removing water services will have on rates increases?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received numerous advice, reports, briefings, documents and correspondence on the drivers of council rates increases, both from officials and in interactions with council representatives. I do not consider it in the public interest…

Answered

Question 37865 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the estimated costs of amalgamation to councils of the headstart proposals submitted by councils and what is the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I do not have an estimate of the costs councils incurred while preparing their Head Start proposals. Head Start proposals should outline a high-level design for a future unitary authority, and councils were not expected to need to engage…

Answered

Question 37866 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on a government contribution towards the costs of council amalgamations and what advice is the Minister seeking or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not received advice on government contribution towards the costs of council amalgamations. The Government is assessing Head Start proposals and will consider support for amalgamating councils during the detailed design phase.

Answered

Question 37867 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister, or any member of his office, received on the establishment of a Department for Local Government or similar, if any, and given the Select Committee report ‘Five Reports…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None, and no.

Answered

Question 37868 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the funding and/or financing of local government adaptation plans including those that will be mandated under the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received the following advice on the funding and/or financing of local government adaptation plans: 3/9/2026: 26-BRF-02111 - Next steps on work to develop an Adaptation Funding and Financing Framework 16/7/2026: 26-BRF-01926 -…

Answered

Question 38001 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following reply 37170 (2026), was the letter regarding the "LGNZ response to use of climate change assumptions letter to councils" discussed at the subsequent meeting with Local Government New Zealand?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No

Answered

Question 37789 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following reply 36156 (2026), is the Minister aware of whether the Departmental of Internal Affairs or Taumata Arowai holds information on how many councils' water services are contracted to Veolia?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

On 1 July 2026, the Local Government portfolio transferred from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), this included all current and previous work programmes. As…

Answered

Question 37494 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 17 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: 18/08/2026 BN2026-263 Revised Tax and Social Policy Work Programme and cabinet paper 19/08/2026 BN2026-254 Information on OECD Corporate Tax Statistics 2026 20/08/2026 IR2026-237 Payment of…

Answered

37516, 37680 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    37516 (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 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    37680 (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 17/08/2026, 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 3 August 2026: • 17/08/2026 - Background information and talking points to support…

Answered

Question 37559 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 17 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 37562 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 17 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:…