Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 501 to 550 of 1855 written question sets.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many, if any, written directions have been issued by the Ministry of Education towards an Early Childhood Education centre during the week of June 22nd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
One.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many, if any, children were attending early childhood centres during the week of June 22nd 2026; broken down by region?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I refer the Member to the attached table showing the number of children attending Early Childhood Education (ECE) services during the week of 22 June 2026, broken down by region.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many, if any, early childhood centres were in operation during the week of June 22nd 2026; broken down by region?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that, during the week of 22 June 2026, 4,372 Early Childhood Education services were operating. I refer the Member to the attached table showing the breakdown of services by region.
Asked by
Jan Tinetti
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, has he received about Early Childhood Education during the week of June 22nd 2026?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary questions 30190 and 30187 (2026) regarding waste and nutrition enhancements made to…
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I am advised that the Ministry of Education followed the government procurement process for the school lunch programme, and all proposals that…
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I am advised that the External Advisory Group appointed by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) refined the alternative provision model and…
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. No, and those figures have subsequently improved to77.3% of meals passing nutrition standards in Term 2, 2026.
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. The changes I made to the programme saved the taxpayer $360m, so yes.
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I reject the Member's assertion.
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that the way waste was measured had not changed from the previous iteration of the…
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. I am advised by the Ministry of Education that every external meal provider has a waste management plan in place, which includes waste targets
Asked by
Lawrence Xu-Nan
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Associate Minister agree with the Auditor-General's office regarding the Inquiry into the Alternative Provision Model for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (school lunch programme), that "It is important that public organisations... get value for…
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I agree that it is important that public organisations get value for money for New Zealanders. The assumption in the Members question does not reflect the programme.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is engaging with potential education service providers an operational matter that should be managed by education agencies and if so, why did she and her staff member meet with Learning First Chief Executive, Ben Jensen, on multiple…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
It is my expectation that staff meet with stakeholders and experts. It is not possible for my staff to anticipate future contractual arrangements.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
Matching question numbers: 29860 (2026), 29865 (2026), 29870 (2026), 29874 (2026), 29877 (2026)
Question published
What contracts, if any, has the Education Review Office signed with Learning First since 1 December 2023 and for each such contract, what was it for, when, if at all, was it tendered, when was it signed and what was the value?
Question published
When, if at all, did Learning First first start working with the Education Review Office and what work have they done for that agency?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about curriculum implementation and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about curriculum reform and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about school reviews and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about school improvement and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about education system reform and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about teacher development and when was any such advice provided?
Question published
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Education Review Office about evaluation and accountability systems and when was any such advice provided?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that ERO has not entered into any contracts with, or received any advice from Learning First during the requested period. ERO directly engaged Dr Ben Jensen to come to New Zealand to give a presentation in October 2024 and…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What work, if any, has Learning First undertaken in regard to setting up systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of professional development in schools and what outcomes from this work, if any, have been achieved?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I have been advised that the Ministry of Education did not contract Learning First to undertake work in regard to setting up systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of professional development in schools.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has Learning First worked with education officials to develop a multi-year plan for developing and implementing her education reforms and if so, when, if at all, was such a plan completed?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that Learning First has not been contracted to work with education officials to develop a multi-year plan for developing and implementing education reforms.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Is Learning First the only education provider in the world able to provide advice on international curriculum benchmarking and consistency with comparable countries who have knowledge-rich curricula to ensure that New Zealand kids can…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I have been advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that, although other international experts in the field of international curriculum design exist, the Minsitry considered that location was a factor in the ability to cost…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What educational service providers, if any, has her ministerial staff engaged with, beyond initial unsolicited approaches, before the providers had service contracts signed with education agencies?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that the Ministry of Education holds approximately 2,400 open contracts. Procurement is an operational matter for the Ministry of Education. It is my expectation that staff meet with stakeholders and experts. It in not in the…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did her staff member’s discussions and exchanges with Learning First Chief Executive, Ben Jensen, months prior to that company signing a service contract with the Ministry of Education give that company an unfair advantage in negotiating…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No. Procurement decisions are an operational matter for the Ministry of Education.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What information, if any, about the Government’s education reforms did her staff member discuss with Ben Jensen of Learning First during their meetings and correspondence in 2024 and at which of these meetings, if any, were officials…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised my staff member discussed my six education priorities, which are: - Clearer curriculum - Better approach to literacy and numeracy - Smarter assessment and reporting - Improved teacher training - Stronger learning support -…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was it appropriate for a member of her staff to meet with and discuss the Government’s education reforms with Learning First, a prospective service provider, before a contract had been signed and if so, why?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
It was appropriate for my staff member to discuss my education priorities. My priorities are in the public domain.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Ministry of Education agree to pay for travel and accommodation for Learning First representatives working on the contract the Ministry signed with that service provider in April 2025 and if so, how much, has been paid for such…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I have been advised that the Ministry of Education’s contract with Learning First included travel. These expenses are not itemised as part of invoicing.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
When was Ben Jensen of Learning First invited to take part in the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Roadshow in October 2025 and how much, if anything, was paid for his fees, travel and accommodation?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that the Ministry of Education invited Ben Jensen to take part in the Curriculum Roadshow on 12 August 2025. A total of $14,757.41 was paid for his fees, travel, and accommodation. This is broken down as follows: • Speaker…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did anyone from her office introduce Learning First to any Education officials and if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did anyone from her office introduce Learning First to Education Review Office officials and if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did her staff member who was introduced to Ben Jensen of Learning First on 26 June 2024 discuss Learning First or their services with her at any time prior to 30 September 2024 and if so, what information about the company was provided to…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
A member of my office forwarded me the email thread between them and Ben Jensen on 11 August 2024.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did any representative of the Teachers’ Institute introduce her staff member to Ben Jensen of Learning First via email on 26 June 2024 and if so, who?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did Education Review Office officials introduce her staff member to Ben Jensen of Learning First via email on 26 June 2024 and if so, who?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No. It is not in the public interest for me to name individuals.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Who introduced a member of her staff to Ben Jensen of Learning First via email on 26 June 2024 and was that introduction unsolicited?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
Unsolicited. It is not in the public interest for me to name individuals.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did she mean that she did not believe New Zealand education providers are capable of working internationally when she said, “I don’t think it will shock anyone that an international company was used on international benchmarking and…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am relying on the advice from my officials that Learning First was the only company that was able to undertake this work.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What were the dates of travel for the Ministry of Education officials who travelled to Australia across July and August 2025 to work with Learning First and what were the titles of the officials who travelled?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised by the Ministry of Education that: • one Product Designer travelled to Melbourne on 22 July 2025, returning on 25 July 2025 • one Product Manager and one Product Designer travelled to Melbourne on 11 August 2025, returning on…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What was the purpose of Ministry of Education officials' travel to Australia across July and August 2025 and what work did they do with Learning First?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that three members of the Ministry of Education’s specialist curriculum writing team travelled to Melbourne (one staff member in July 2025, and two staff members in August 2025) to work with Ben Jensen and his Learning First…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
When did her office first learn that an administrative error had occurred leading to an incorrect response to Question 53791 (2025) being lodged in December 2025 and how was the error found?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
On 19 June 2026, the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) alerted me to this error via a request for a formal correction to written parliamentary question 53791 (2025). I am advised that this information was identified when the Ministry…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was the media report that she first learned, on Friday, 19 June 2026, that an error had been made in one of her Written Parliamentary Question replies in December 2025 correct and if so, why was her reply not corrected until Thursday, 25…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
Yes. Answers to Written Parliamentary Questions which concern operational agency matters, such as Written Parliamentary Question 53791 (2025), are provided to me by the Ministry. The Ministry, when responding to a subsequent OIA,…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Further to her reply to Question 53791 (2025), corrected on 25 June 2026, on what date did the Ministry of Education first provide her with the details of education officials’ travel to visit Learning First in Australia in 2025 and how, if…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I was first made aware of this trip on 19 June when my office was notified by the Ministry of Education that they had answered Written Parliamentary Question 53791 (2025) incorrectly.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Further to her reply to Question 53791 (2025), corrected on 25 June 2026, did the Ministry of Education provide the details of officials’ travel to visit Learning First in Australia to her office in 2025 and if so, on what date?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Further to her reply to Question 53791 (2025), corrected on 25 June 2026, did the administrative error that led to the omission of the education officials' visit to Learning First in Australia in the reply provided in December 2025 occur…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
Yes
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Further to her reply to Question 53791 (2025), corrected on 25 June 2026, did the administrative error that led to the omission of education officials’ visit to Learning First in Australia in the reply provided in December 2025 occur in…
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
Matching question numbers: 29872 (2026), 29875 (2026), 29881 (2026)
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about curriculum implementation and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about curriculum reform and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about school reviews and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about school improvement and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about education system reform and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about teacher development and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided the Ministry of Education about evaluation and accountability systems and when was any such advice provided?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
It is my understanding that Learning First provided a range of advice to the Ministry of Education regarding international curriculum benchmarking (the Ministry) in 2025. This advice served as one input into the Ministry’s curriculum…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
Matching question numbers: 29873 (2026), 29876 (2026), 29884 (2026)
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about curriculum implementation and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about curriculum reform and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about school reviews and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about school improvement and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about education system reform and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about teacher development and when was any such advice provided?
What advice, if any, has Learning First provided her or her staff about evaluation and accountability systems and when was any such advice provided?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
Advice is provided to me by my agencies. I do not consider correspondence from a stakeholder to be advice. This is also my response to Written Parliamentary Questions 29819, 29864, 29869, 29873, 29876, and 29884 (2026).
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
The briefings I received from Education Agencies during the week beginning 22 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. Please note some titles have been withheld as they are either sensitive in nature or still under active…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
I refer the Member to the list below of briefings I received from Education agencies for the week beginning 22 June 2026: Charter school changes in the Education and Training (System Reform) Bill Amendment to Gazette notice - Matihiko…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon David Seymour
Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Education
None.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I took one paper to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026. I am withholding the title as it is sensitive in nature and is not in the public interest to release at this time.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Where any officials present at her meeting with Ben Jensen of Learning First during her trip to Australia and if so, what agencies were present?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
A departmental Private Secretary from my office, employed by the Ministry of Education was present at this meeting. The Private Secretary accompanied me on the trip, and attended all meetings I had on the trip.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did she inform her officials about any of the details of her conversation with Ben Jensen of Learning First while in Australia and if so, what information did she provide them?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
No.
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What was the date and purpose of her travel to Australia for the trip where she met Ben Jensen of Learning First for a coffee and what did they discuss during that meeting?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I travelled to Gold Coast between 24-27 October 2024. I was invited to participate in a panel discussion on education reform. While in Australia, I met with a number of people, including the then Director General of Education in…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date did the Education Review Office introduce her to Ben Jensen of Learning First and did they provide a briefing for that meeting?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
ERO introduced me to Dr Ben Jensen on 16 October 2024 while he was in Wellington to give a presentation on his insights into curriculum reform, implementation, and international benchmarking. I received the meeting invitation on 14…
Asked by
Ginny Andersen
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How did the Ministry of Education become aware of Learning First and their services?
Answered by
Hon Erica Stanford
Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Education
I am advised that the Education Review Office invited the Ministry of Education to attend a meeting in Wellington on 16 October 2024, where Dr Ben Jensen, international curriculum expert, shared insights into what is being developed in…