Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 1451 to 1500 of 1661 written question sets.
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Is it correct that the the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy Security raised the topic of the oil and gas fund announced at Budget 2025 directly with the Minister in November 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
No.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2023 calendar year?
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2022 calendar year?
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2024 calendar year?
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2025 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Revenue
Officials advise that Inland Revenue has had no database security breaches between 2022 and 2025 and no funds were spent on this.
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
What specific concerns, if any, regarding New Zealand's climate commitments were raised by the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy Security in the meeting with the Minister in November 2025?
Is it correct that the the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy Security raised concerns directly with the Minister in November 2025 regarding the oil and gas fund announced at Budget 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Is it correct that the the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy Security raised concerns directly with the Minister in November 2025 regarding the oil and gas fund announced at Budget 2025?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
I refer the Member to my response to written Parliamentary Question 4769 (2025).
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did John Carnegie engage with the Minister regarding LNG infrastructure or the LNG procurement process in his capacity as a board member of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What was the substance of advice, if any, provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority on LNG infrastructure or the procurement process for this infrastructure?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
EECA has not provided any advice to the Minister for Energy on LNG infrastructure or any related procurement process.
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority provide any advice on LNG or the LNG infrastructure procurement process between the dates of October 1, 2025, and February 9, 2026, if so, please list the title and dates of advice?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
EECA has not provided any advice to the Minister for Energy on LNG or LNG infrastructure between October 1, 2025 and February 9, 2026.
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Has the Minister had any correspondence or engagement with John Carnegie of Energy Resources Aotearoa regarding the LNG procurement process between the dates of October 1, 2025, and February 9, 2026, if so, what was the substance of the…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No
Asked by
Scott Willis
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What engagement, if any, did MBIE have with domestic oil and gas stakeholders regarding the LNG infrastructure procurement process between October 1, 2025, and 9 February, 2026, listed by name of stakeholder and type of engagement?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
There was a small level of engagement with gas stakeholders to understand potential demand for gas derived from LNG, and how they may wish to contract for such gas. The details of these discussions are commercially confidential.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2023 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
As Minister of Energy, I have no responsibility for any government departments or Ministries. In respect of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the Member to the Minister for Economic Growth's answer to written…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2022 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
As Minister of Energy, I have no responsibility for any government departments or Ministries. In respect of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the Member to the Minister for Economic Growth's answer to written…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2024 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
As Minister of Energy, I have no responsibility for any government departments or Ministries. In respect of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the Member to the Minister for Economic Growth's answer to written…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2025 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
As Minister of Energy, I have no responsibility for any government departments or Ministries. In respect of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the Member to the Minister for Economic Growth's answer to written…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2023 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None. The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai had no database security breaches in the 2023 calendar year.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2022 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None. The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai had no database security breaches in the 2022 calendar year.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2024 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None. The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai had no database security breaches in the 2024 calendar year.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(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 fixing database security breaches in the 2025 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai identified one non-malicious database security breach in the 2025 calendar year. The Authority spent $440.00 for an external provider to isolate the issue, and Authority staff deployed a fix with…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister believe that ETS is currently fairly and effectively incentivising emissions reductions, in accordance with the Governments climate strategy?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
Yes.
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has he received any briefings, aide-mémoires, or other advice regarding concerns raised by the UK Foreign Office or other UK Government representatives about New Zealand’s methane reduction target or other climate policies and if so, what…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
No
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, by title and date, has he received on the legal thresholds under New Zealand’s free trade agreements that could trigger sanctions or dispute settlement if climate obligations are not met?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
In my capacity as Minister for Climate Change, I have received a range of advice on relevant international obligations. All of this material is subject to legal advice privilege, and it is not in the public interest to disclose the details…
Asked by
Deborah Russell
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did he receive any briefing regarding statements by the UK Minister of State, that the UK had raised oil and gas developments with New Zealand “on several occasions”, and if so, what representations were made in this?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change
In my capacity as Minister for Climate Change, I have not received any briefing on this particular topic. Officials from the UK and New Zealand engage regularly on a range of policy topics, as is standard for close partners.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility reference the Government Procurement Rules; if so, which specific rules were cited?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE’s commercial services procurement team is running the procurement process, consistent with All-of-Government’s Procurement rules that would apply to such a project.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Were there risks identified in the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, what are they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Yes. Some of the risks are commercially sensitive and will not be disclosed. The advice did identify that it might not be possible to identify a suitable solution through the accelerated delivery solution.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility make any specific recommendations that are not reflected in the Cabinet paper, and if so, what are they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Were there differing views between Ministers on the ministerial decision-making for the procurement process of an LNG import facility, and if so, what were they?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Will he release the full advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The procurement process is not complete yet, and so some information is commercially sensitive. This will likely remain the case until a contract is completed, though some information may remain commercial-in-confidence.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility consider whether ministerial selection of a preferred provider could create any actual or perceived conflicts of interest?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The final decision is to be made by a ministerial panel rather than a single minister. There are clear and well-developed processes for the management of any conflicts of interest that may exist.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Who provided the advice, listed by agency or department, on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE provided the advice on ministerial decision making in a series of papers in November and December 2025.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is there written advice on the ministerial decision making for the procurement processes of an LNG import facility, and if so, what is this by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
MBIE provided general advice to the Minister for Energy on ministerial decision making in a briefing entitled ‘LNG Import Facility Cabinet Paper for Lodging’ and dated 10 December 2025.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What date or dates did he receive advice on whether the process outlined in his Cabinet paper, where a delegated group of Ministers make the final decision on the selection of a preferred provider of an LNG import facility falls within the…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
I discussed this approach and other aspects of procurement on various occasions during the consideration of the policy proposal with officials, and was advised on this matter at that time. Cabinet has the full authority to delegate…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has the Minister received from Taumata Arowai in response to an international expert group convened by the Danish Government who recommended that the limit value for nitrate in drinking water in Denmark be lowered from…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
None. The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai works with the Ministry of Health to assess the appropriateness of the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand and Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules. The Ministry is responsible for…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received from Taumata Arowai in regard to the wastewater bypasses/overflows and subsequent contamination of beach water quality in Auckland this summer (2025-2026)?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai has provided me with advice about overflows/bypasses in Auckland in the correspondence below. It has not provided me with specific advice regarding contamination of beach water quality in…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received from Taumata Arowai in regard to the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failure, which commenced 04/02/26, and the subsequent ongoing discharge of untreated sewage?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai has kept the Minister informed of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failure through weekly updates and correspondence on a ‘no-surprises’ basis. Regional authorities are responsible for…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What additional regulatory or oversight powers, if any, has Taumata Arowai requested from the Minister in regards to drinking water services?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
As part of the legislative process for the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 (the Act) the Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai provided the Minister of Local Government with a suite of documents with advice on the options for…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice has the Minister received on the potential impact of a third of wastewater plants operating on expired consents, listed by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
Addressing the number of plants operating on expired consents is a key driver of the wastewater standards. The advice provided to the Minister during 2025 to support decision making regarding the development of the wastewater standards has…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Have Veolia ever raised concerns with the Minister about potential issues at any wastewater plants they operate in Aotearoa?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
No
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
On how many occasions has the Minister corresponded with Veolia, the company that operates Wellington's wastewater plants, and did they at any point raise potential issues of failing sewerage plants they operate?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
I have not corresponded with Veolia beyond receiving an invitation to meet on 12 February 2026. This meeting invitation was declined.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
On how many occasions has the Minister met with Veolia, the company operating the wastewater treatment plants in Wellington, and did they at any point raise potential issues of failing sewerage plants they operate?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
I have not met with Veolia, the company operating the wastewater treatment plants in Wellington.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
Matching question numbers: 3951 (2026), 3997 (2026), 3998 (2026)
Question published
How many, if any, Wastewater Treatment Plants reported an incidence of non-compliance between 1 January 2026 and 10 February 2026?
Question published
Which, if any, wastewater treatment operators or consent holders faced a monetary fine as a result of enforcement action taken against them in response to non-compliance between 1 January 2026 and 12 February 2026, listed by name and…
Question published
Which, if any, wastewater treatment operators or consent holders faced a monetary fine as a result of enforcement action taken against them in response to non-compliance in 2025, listed by name and location?
Question published
Which, if any, wastewater treatment plant operators or consent holders had enforcement action taken against them in response to non-compliance in between 1 January 2026 and 12 February 2026, listed by name and location?
Question published
Which, if any, wastewater treatment plant operators or consent holders had enforcement action taken against them in response to non-compliance in 2025, listed by name and location?
Question published
Which, if any, Wastewater Treatment Plants reported an incidence of non-compliance in 2025, listed by name and location?
Question published
Which, if any, Wastewater Treatment Plants reported an incidence of non-compliance between 1 January 2026 and 11 February 2026, listed by name and location?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai (the Authority) does not hold this information. Regional Councils are responsible for the consenting of discharges from treatment plants, and the enforcement of compliance with those consents.…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Which, if any, drinking water treatment plant operators faced enforcement action in response to any non-compliance with drinking water standards or rules between 1 January 2026 and 12 February 2026, listed by name and location?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai did not take enforcement action regarding non-compliance with drinking water standards or rules, between 1 January 2026 and 12 February 2026.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Which, if any, drinking water treatment plant operators faced enforcement action in response to any non-compliance with drinking water standards or rules in 2025, listed by name and location?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The Water Services Authority—Taumata Arowai undertook compliance actions for non-compliance with drinking water standards or rules on a number of occasions throughout 2025, issuing directions under section 104 of the Water Services Act…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Where, if anywhere, were 'do not drink' notices issued in 2025, listed by name and location?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The table attached outlines the names of the supply and the locations of the ‘do not drink’ notices issued in 2025. This information will be released as part of the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai's Drinking Water Regulation…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Where, if anywhere, were boil water notices issued in 2025, listed by name and location?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government
The table below outlines the names of the supply and the locations where boil water notices were issued in 2025. This information will be released as part of the Water Service Authority - Taumata Arowai's Drinking Water Regulation Report…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How, if at all, did the Government take into account section 5ZN of the Climate Change Response Act when making the decision to approve LNG Gas Imports?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
The Government considered the effects on emissions in emissions budgets 2 & 3 as per the CIPA in making a decision to establish an LNG import facility.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does he stand by his statement that an “accelerated delivery model could see an LNG import facility operational as early as 2027/28, depending on the type of infrastructure required” and if so, how, if at all, does the type of…
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
Yes I stand by my statement, and yes the infrastructure will affect the start date. More information will be available once a contract has been agreed with a preferred provider.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many, if any long-term skilled roles will be created once the LNG import facility is operational?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
There will be employment opportunities, but it is not possible to be definitive on how many opportunities there will be at this stage.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many, if any, jobs will be created during the construction of an LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
There will be employment opportunities, but it is not possible to be definitive on how many opportunities there will be at this stage.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has he received any advice that contradicts his claim that an LNG import facility will save New Zealanders around $265 million a year?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
No.
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What assessment, if any, has been made of New Zealand’s exposure to geopolitical risk when considering an LNG import facility?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
There are multiple jurisdictions from which LNG can purchased, including many of New Zealand's trading partners. An import model of sufficient scale to allow LNG to be imported in fewer, larger shipments also reduces exposure to…
Asked by
Megan Woods
Member for Wigram · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has Treasury produced a cost-benefit analysis of an LNG import facility, and if so, what are its conclusions?
Answered by
Hon Simon Watts
Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Energy
A business case was attached to the Cabinet paper. These were produced by MBIE.