Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 501 to 550 of 649 written question sets.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister stand by his statement that he’s "hopeful" for the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill to be in place by May?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Yes.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What, if anything, makes the Minister "hopeful" about the proposed ban on paywave surcharges?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am a hopeful person by nature.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with Christopher Luxon's statement that “we just want to make sure we understand all the implications before we push the final button on" the credit card/paywave surcharge ban; and if so, why weren't all the…
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Yes, of course I agree with the Prime Minister's statement.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill poorly designed?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with the principle that consumers should pay the price they see on the shelf?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Yes.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill discussed inside Cabinet, and if so, which Minister, if any, represented the Minister of Consumer Affairs in the discussion?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Discussions inside Cabinet are confidential.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many full time equivalent (FTE) roles, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2023?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 92.2 Commerce Commission: 370.3 External Reporting Board: 25.7 Financial Markets Authority: 290 Retirement Commission: 37.25 Takeovers Panel: 7.8
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many full time equivalent (FTE) roles, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2024?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 99 Commerce Commission: 495.7 External Reporting Board: 30 Financial Markets Authority: 318 Retirement Commission: 37.85 Takeovers Panel: 7.8
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many full time equivalent (FTE) roles, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 92.4 Commerce Commission: 434.8 External Reporting Board: 26.1 Financial Markets Authority: 309 Retirement Commission: 34.6 Takeovers Panel: 6.8
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many vacancies, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2023?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 0 Commerce Commission: 43 External Reporting Board: 1 Financial Markets Authority: 22 Retirement Commission: 0 Takeovers Panel: 0
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many full time equivalent (FTE) roles, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2025?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 92.4 Commerce Commission: 428.1 External Reporting Board: 26.9 Financial Markets Authority: 372 Retirement Commission: 36.85 Takeovers Panel: 7
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many vacancies, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2024?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 0 Commerce Commission: 57 External Reporting Board: 1 Financial Markets Authority: 31 Retirement Commission: 0 Takeovers Panel: 0
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What part of the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, if any, does Cabinet not agree on?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, and all parties across the House of Representatives (aside from the Green Party) voted in favour of the Bill's first reading.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with the ACT MP who said, with respect to the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, that businesses should be able to keep surcharges if they offered a free alternative, like EFTPOS?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Parmjeet Parmar is entitled to her own views; however, this is a different view to that agreed to by Cabinet.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with David Seymour who said, with respect to the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, that businesses can't afford it; and if so, did the Minister not consider affordability when he was…
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
David Seymour is entitled to his own opinions. The Commerce Commission estimates interchange fee reductions will save businesses around $90 million a year, and the surcharge ban makes sure customers are not being overcharged to compensate…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What changes, if any, is the Minister considering for the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill to help affordability for small businesses?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am not currently considering any changes. However, I note that the decision to ban surcharges, alongside the Commerce Commission’s move to reduce interchange fees, has already delivered benefits for small businesses and will continue to…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What meetings, if any, has the Minister had with international credit card companies, or their representatives, since the Select Committee into the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I refer the member to my proactively released diary, available on the Beehive website.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What changes, if any, is the Minister considering for the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill to help with the cost of living for consumers?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am not currently considering any changes, although I note that by banning surcharges consumers will be saving up to $65m a year attributed to excess surcharging by businesses.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did Christopher Luxon inform the Minister that the Government was taking "a breather" on the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, and if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I regularly have discussions with my colleagues, including the Prime Minister, on a range of matters.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister discuss with Christopher Luxon his language that the Government was taking "a breather" on the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill prior to this statement, and if yes, was any specific…
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister meet with, or speak to, Winston Peters after he informed the media that the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill was "going nowhere", and if so, what was the outcome of this conversation?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How much staff time and resources, if any, has the Government spent in approximate terms on the policy and legislative work for the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill to date?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Officials’ time is not timesheeted against individual policy or legislative projects.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did Cabinet change its position, if at all, between the First Reading of the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, and the conclusion of the Select Committee hearing; if so, on what issues?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 23 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I regularly take papers to Cabinet across a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, I proactively release papers considered by Cabinet on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many vacancies, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2026?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 1 Commerce Commission: 30 External Reporting Board: 1 Financial Markets Authority: 16 Retirement Commission: 0 Takeovers Panel: 0
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many vacancies, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, as of 1 January 2025?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Accreditation Council: 0 Commerce Commission: 37 External Reporting Board: 1 Financial Markets Authority: 13 Retirement Commission: 1 Takeovers Panel: 0
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 23 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of briefings and reports received by my office from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is regularly published on…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many graduate positions, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, between November 2022 and November 2023?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many graduate positions, if any, were there in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, between November 2023 and November 2024?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
The Financial Markets Authority had eight employees on its graduate programme over this period from the 2024 cohort of graduates.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 16 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of briefings and reports received by my office from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is regularly published on…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 16 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I regularly take papers to Cabinet across a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, I proactively release papers considered by Cabinet on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How, if at all, was the role of Chair of the Takeovers Panel advertised?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
The role was not advertised.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Was a selection panel set up to consider applicants for the role of Chair of the Takeovers Panel, and if so, who was on the selection panel?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many other candidates, if any, were considered for the role of Chair of the Takeovers Panel and how many, if any, were interviewed?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
None. I recruited from within the Panel.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What process, if any, was followed for the appointment of Anna Buchly as Chair of the Takeovers Panel?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I recruited from within the Panel. The appointment was considered by Cabinet before I recommended it to the Governor-General.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How, if at all, was the role of Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission advertised?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
The role was not advertised.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Was a selection panel set up to consider applicants for the role of Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission, and if so, who was on the selection panel?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many other candidates, if any, were considered for the role of Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission and how many, if any, were interviewed?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What process, if any, was followed for the appointment of Dr John Small to Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Dr John Small was reappointed as Chair. The appointment was considered by Cabinet before I recommended it to the Governor-General.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
Matching question numbers: 4141 (2026), 4986 (2026)
Question published
When the Minister said, with regard to corded window blinds, "I am not currently looking to introduce regulations", does that mean he is open to introduce regulations in the future, and if so, under what timeframe?
Question published
Will the Minister commit to introducing mandatory product safety standards for corded window coverings before the end of this Parliamentary term; if not, why not?
Question published
What timeframe, if any, has the Minister set for making a final decision on mandatory safety standards for corded blinds in this Parliamentary term?
Question published
Does the Minister agree that New Zealand should adopt similar standards to Australia regarding safety of corded blinds?
Question published
Will the Government consider introducing regulations for corded window coverings at a later stage, and if so, when?
Question published
Does the Government have any plans to introduce regulations in 2026 for any safety product involving children; if yes, which products?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I have asked for further advice from officials on this issue. I will need to carefully consider this advice before making a decision.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What funding, if any, has the Minister advocated for in the Government's 2026 budget to strengthen enforcement of consumer protection laws?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Decisions related to Budget 2026 are under active consideration.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does he believe that the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act are still fit for purpose given the rise of online corporations like Temu; if not, what reforms does he intend in 2026?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986 provide protections for consumers, including in relation to online and any business trading in New Zealand. In November 2025, Hon Nicola Willis and I announced changes to…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What, if anything, has the Government done to assist incorporated societies that have not re-registered to do so before the 5 April 2026 deadline?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
The Companies Office has run an extensive information and education campaign and have developed resources to assist with the reregistration process. They have; sent regular letters and emails informing societies of the changes, webinars,…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
As of 16 February 2026, how many incorporated societies, if any, have not re-registered before the 5 April 2026 deadline?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
As at 16 February 2026: • 12,024 existing societies had reregistered under the new 2022 Act • 9464 existing societies had not yet re-registered • 2319 new societies had registered for the first time under the new 2022 Act.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Minister asked MBIE for advice about how many baby carriers in New Zealand, if any, meet the US standard ASTM F2236 or EU standard EN 13209-2?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, did he ask from MBIE about safety standards for baby carriers in New Zealand before his statement of November 2025 that the Government had no plans to introduce regulations for baby carriers?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
None.
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with the founder of Auckland’s The Sleep Store that New Zealand should formally recognise the European Union and US safety standards for baby carriers?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am aware of views expressed by retailers, including the founder of The Sleep Store, regarding the recognition of overseas safety standards. New Zealand suppliers are already able to use international standards, including those from the…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister agree with the founder of Auckland’s The Sleep Store that baby carriers sold in New Zealand should meet international safety standards?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am aware of views expressed by retailers, including the founder of The Sleep Store, about the importance of international safety standards for baby carriers. New Zealand suppliers are already able to use recognised international…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Does the Government intend to introduce safety standards for babywearing products in 2026?
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
No.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the current level of compliance, if any, within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, with NZ Government Web Standards, which require public sector…
Answered by
Hon Scott Simpson
Member for Coromandel · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
I am not responsible for any organisations which are mandated to implement the Web Standards.