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Showing 6801 to 6850 of 31958 written question sets.

Answered

Question 33605 (2026)

Question published
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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 20 July 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Brooke van Velden

Member for Tāmaki · ACT Party · Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

Answer

As the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, the titles of advice I requested and received from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and WorkSafe are considered for proactive release on a regular basis. These…

Answered

Question 33606 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Government's abstention on the 24 July 2026 vote to reappoint the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reflect any change in New Zealand's support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so,…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 33607 (2026)

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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office requested, if any, during the week beginning 20 July 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Associate Minister for National Security and Intelligence

Answer

As Associate Minister for National Security and Intelligence, I regularly request and receive advice from officials in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on a range of matters. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling…

Answered

Question 33608 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Who decided that New Zealand would abstain on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights: Cabinet, the Minister of Foreign Affairs personally, or officials acting…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade made the decision. In any given year, New Zealand must take a position on over 500 resolutions or other decisions emerging from the UN system, including the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights…

Answered

Question 33609 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what date was the decision made that New Zealand would abstain on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The decision was made on Saturday 25 July 2026 (NZT).

Answered

Question 33610 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did Cabinet or any Cabinet committee consider New Zealand's voting position on the reappointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, on what date or dates?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 33611 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Was the Prime Minister consulted before New Zealand abstained on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, when and by whom?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 33612 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What consultation, if any, took place with each of the parties in the coalition Government before New Zealand's voting position on the 24 July 2026 reappointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was settled?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33613 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on how New Zealand should vote on the reappointment of Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and did…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33614 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many written briefings, if any, did the Minister of Foreign Affairs receive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade between 1 June 2026 and 24 July 2026 concerning the reappointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33615 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What representations, if any, did the Government of the United States, the Government of Israel, or any other government make to New Zealand about how it should vote on the reappointment of Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33616 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    In what respects, if any, did the position New Zealand adopted at the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote on the reappointment of the High Commissioner for Human Rights differ from the advice provided by the Ministry of…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The Ministry did not provide advice to the Minister on the vote.

Answered

Question 33617 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many times, if any, did the Minister of Foreign Affairs or officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade discuss New Zealand's voting intentions on the reappointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33618 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did New Zealand deliver an explanation of vote, or lodge any written statement, in connection with its abstention on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, what…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 33619 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the member states of the European Union voted in favour of the reappointment of Volker Türk as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 24 July 2026, and which, if any,…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

Australia, Canada, the UK and the EU Member States voted in favour of the reappointment.

Answered

Question 33620 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Government not publicly explain, at the time of the vote, its decision to abstain on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

New Zealand does not generally make public statements about its voting positions at the United Nations General Assembly.

Answered

Question 33621 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What public statements, if any, has the Government made explaining New Zealand's abstention on the 24 July 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote to reappoint the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and on what dates were they made?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

No formal public statement has been made.

Answered

Question 33622 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On how many occasions, if any, since 1 January 2020 has New Zealand abstained on a United Nations General Assembly vote concerning the appointment or reappointment of a senior United Nations office holder, and on which votes?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33623 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has New Zealand previously declined to support the appointment or reappointment of a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and if so, on what occasions and for what stated reasons?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

There has never been a previous case of a UNSG seeking to re-appoint a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for a second, four-year term. This decision to re-appoint was therefore unprecidented.

Answered

Question 33624 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assessment, if any, has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade made of the implications of New Zealand's abstention on the 24 July 2026 reappointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for New Zealand's…

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 33625 (2026)

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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What funding, if any, did New Zealand provide to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the 2025/26 financial year, and does the Government intend to maintain, increase, or reduce that funding in 2026/27?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

New Zealand provided NZ$3 million in core funding to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the 2025/26 financial year. New Zealand intends to provide a further NZ$3million in core funding in the 2026/27…

Answered

5 questions (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 33239 (2026)

  • 33101 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date was he first advised that Middlemore Hospital's rapid build ward was unlikely to be operational in the second half of 2026?

  • 33102 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date was he first advised that Wellington Regional Hospital's rapid build ward was unlikely to be operational in the second half of 2026?

  • 33103 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date was he first advised that the Waikato rapid build ward was unlikely to be operational in the second half of 2026?

  • 33105 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date did he first receive advice that helicopter noise at the preferred Waikato location could affect the design or occupancy of its proposed rapid build ward?

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  • 33239 (matches this search)

    Question published

    On what date did he first receive advice that additional acoustic testing had extended the design phase at Waikato Hospital?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

The 28-bed rapid-build unit is going ahead at Waikato Hospital, part of 140 new beds across five of the country’s busiest hospitals. The site beside the helipad is confirmed, designs are being finalised, funding for the staff is approved.…

Answered

33114, 33227 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33114 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What information within scope of OIA request HNZ00203627 remains withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) as under active consideration, and on what date does he expect this to no longer be under active consideration?

  • 33227 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What information within scope of OIA request HNZ00203627 remains withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) as under active consideration by him, listed by title and date he received it?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the Member's question relates to a Departmental OIA issued by Health New Zealand. If the Member takes issue with Health New Zealand's response then under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act 1982, the Member has…

Answered

5 questions (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 33237 (2026)

  • 33131 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Further to 30284 (2026), has the Minister received any advice on whether Kāinga Ora has assessed the number of existing corded blinds installed in its homes that may require replacement to comply with mandatory safety standards; if so, how…

  • 33232 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Further to 30284 (2026), how many Kāinga Ora homes, if any, approximately currently have corded blinds, that do not currently meet the mandatory safety standards for blinds that the Government announced is now policy?

  • 33234 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Further to 30175 (2026), will all the corded blinds that are replaced in Kainga Ora homes by Kāinga Ora now meet the Australian safety standard; if so, from which date will this standard be enforced?

  • 33236 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Further to 30175 (2026), what approximate percentage of corded blinds in Kāinga Ora homes, if any, currently meet the Australian safety standard?

Show the remaining 1 questions
  • 33237 (matches this search)

    Question published

    Further to 30175 (2026), what approximate percentage of corded blinds in Kāinga Ora homes currently meet internationally recognised safety standards?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Associate Minister of Housing

Answer

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities advises me that it does not centrally record data on blinds installed in its homes. Any blinds currently being supplied to Kāinga Ora include child safety guards, which it expects to be installed with the…

Answered

Question 33154 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, have the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, budgeted for the carbon neutral government programme in the 2026/27 financial year?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform

Answer

The foundation agencies that preceded the formation of the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) had budgeted the following amounts for the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP) in the 2026/27 financial year:…

Answered

Question 33155 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the Christchurch parents who claim there has been a concerted effort to control the narrative of the product recall notice, which was drafted in collaboration with MBIE; if so, what advice has he asked for?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Product recall notices are provided by suppliers, and suppliers are responsible for any representations made in them. While MBIE provides comment on notices in some cases, where it has relevant information, suppliers make the final…

Answered

Question 33156 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    As of today, does the Government agree with Kmart's previous recall statement that, with regard to children's play sands sold in New Zealand "the risk that any asbestos found, that is likely to be airborne or fine enough for inhalation, is…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Product recall notices are provided by suppliers, and suppliers are responsible for any representations made in them.

Answered

Question 33157 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the Christchurch parents who have claimed that Kmart minimised the health risks posed to consumers by saying in the product recall notice that the release of respirable asbestos fibres was unlikely to occur in…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Product recall notices are provided by suppliers. Suppliers are responsible for ensuring their accuracy.

Answered

Question 33158 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the Christchurch parents who have claimed that Kmart minimised the health risks posed to consumers by saying in the product recall notice that respirable asbestos had not been detected in any of the tested…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Product recall notices are provided by suppliers. Suppliers are responsible for ensuring their accuracy.

Answered

Question 33159 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister support Christchurch parents Elle Chrisp and David Dingwall who took Kmart to the Disputes Tribunal to reclaim costs they said they incurred having their children's play sand tested for asbestos; if not, why not?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

It would not be appropriate to comment on active legal proceedings.

Answered

Question 33160 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, does the Minister have for parents who have sent Kmart letters asking for reimbursement of the costs of testing and cleanup of their homes for asbestos in children's sand products but haven't received a response from…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Where a consumer considers that a supplier has not met its obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the consumer may take a case to the Disputes Tribunal.

Answered

Question 33161 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister given MBIE a deadline to "update its advice" to the public about children's sand products; if so, when?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Advice to the public on health matters is provided by Health New Zealand, based on expert advice. MBIE refers the public to this advice and provides additional information about the recall process.

Answered

33162, 33164 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33162 (matches this search)

    Following the publication of AUT testing on 2 July 2026 that showed asbestos in contaminated sand can be airborne, is the Government considering a ban on the sale of these products, and if so, when?

  • 33164 (matches this search)

    Is the Minister considering a ban of children's sand products sold in New Zealand; if so, when would this ban come into force?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I am currently considering advice on options for addressing the risks posed by these products.

Answered

Question 33163 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with Consumer NZ that people with children who may have been exposed by asbsestos affected sand products needed “clarity” on what to do; if so, what clarifications, if any, is the Minister or Government intending to…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Advice to the public on what to do if they are exposed to asbestos is provided by Health New Zealand, based on expert advice. I am not seeking a change to this advice.

Answered

Question 33165 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did the New Zealand workplace regulator's testing show that the asbestos fibres in children's sand products were of a respirable size; if so, when did the Minister of Consumer Affairs become aware of this?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I am not aware that WorkSafe New Zealand has undertaken testing of children’s sand products for absestos.

Answered

Question 33166 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did the New Zealand workplace regulator challenge the Australian recall statements for asbestos affected children's sand products “from the get-go”; if so, what was the timeline?

Answered by

Hon Brooke van Velden

Member for Tāmaki · ACT Party · Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

Answer

I am advised that WorkSafe New Zealand did not formally challenge the Australian recall statements related to product safety, which were a matter for the relevant Australian regulators. However, from the time the issue first emerged in…

Answered

Question 33167 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the Minister aware of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) research that found 90% of craft sand samples did release asbestos into the air when played with; if so, what actions, if any, did he take when he learned of this?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Yes, I am aware of this finding. I sought, and am currently considering, advice on options for addressing the risks posed by these products.

Answered

Question 33168 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the Guardian's conclusion that the safety claim of the suppliers of children's sand products became the de facto position of the New Zealand government, despite having no additional evidence to support it; if…

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

No. Product recall notices are provided by suppliers, and suppliers are responsible for any representations made in them. They are not endorsed by the government. Advice to the public on health matters is provided by Health New Zealand,…

Answered

Question 33169 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Should parents have "every confidence" in this Government's handling of children's sand products possibly contaminated by asbestos; if so, why?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

Yes. Government agencies have taken a precautionary approach to the risk from these products, acknowledging uncertainties around the risks. This has included ensuring that all products that have tested positive for asbestos are recalled,…

Answered

Question 33170 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Under one option the Minister is considering regarding children's sand products, will testing and certification of products sold in New Zealand be done by the seller or by an independent entity?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I am currently considering advice on options for addressing the risks posed by these products.

Answered

Question 33171 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What does the Minister mean by the statement, regarding product safety for children's play sand, “I want advice as to what the options are, and so, whatever the outcome is, we are toughening up on this product"?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I sought, and am currently considering, advice on options for addressing the risks posed by these products.

Answered

Question 33172 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister release to the public, outside the OIA process, the advice that he asked for on 2 July 2026 about how to toughen up rules on children’s play sand; if so, when and how?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I am currently considering advice on options for addressing the risks posed by these products. Communication around decisions made based on this advice will be made in due course.

Answered

Question 33173 (2026)

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Asked by

Arena Williams

Member for Manurewa · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what date did the Minister first know that children's sand products that were sold and recalled in New Zealand could have released cancer-causing asbestos fibres into the air?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

I was advised of the preliminary findings of the AUT research group on 29 June 2026.

Answered

Question 33174 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the average occupancy rate of Wellington Hospital’s maternity ward / delivery suite from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2026 broken down by day?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

33175, 33228, 33229, 33231 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33175 (matches this search)

    Has he at any point in the past 18 months been advised on the rapid build wards against proceeding at the preferred Waikato, Wellington Regional or Middlemore locations, or recommended an alternative site or approach; if so, on what dates?

  • 33228 (matches this search)

    Has he at any time been advised or seen advice against proceeding at the preferred Waikato rapid build ward site, or recommend an alternative site or approach, if so, what did that advice say, and did he accept it?

  • 33229 (matches this search)

    What is the interim budget summary for the Waikato rapid build ward?

  • 33231 (matches this search)

    What advice has he read on the estimated total cost of the Waikato rapid build ward, including site-specific and ancillary works, and how, if at all, has that estimate changed since November 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I receive regular reporting from Health New Zealand on the progress of the Interim Inpatient Units. I was aware there were challenges with some of the locations. I was not advised that the units would not proceed at the preferred Waikato,…

Answered

Question 33176 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What further modelling work, if any, is being undertaken by Hawke's Bay Regional Council on the technical issue affecting the Wairoa flood resilience project?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport that the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's engineering consultant has carried out further hydraulic river modelling and morphodynamic modelling (modelling of riverbed…

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33177, 33178, 33179 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 33177 (matches this search)

    What options are being considered to mitigate the delay to the Wairoa flood resilience project caused by the technical issue recently identified with that project, and when will an update on those options be provided?

  • 33178 (matches this search)

    Is there a risk that the Wairoa flood resilience project cannot be completed within a single construction season as a result of the technical issue recently identified with the project, and what would the consequences be for the Wairoa…

  • 33179 (matches this search)

    What is the current forecast completion date for the Wairoa flood resilience project, and how does that compare with the completion date in the original project delivery plan?

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Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport that the technical issue has now been resolved, with a design solution identified. I understand this has not impacted the project timeline, and construction is…

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Question 33180 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    What is the technical issue affecting the design process for the Wairoa flood resilience project that was identified in the March 2026 quarterly recovery progress update on the 2023 North Island Weather Events?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The issue related to an elevated risk of river avulsion identified in initial flood modelling, occurring when the spillway is activated in a 1-in-100-year design flood event or in events exceeding this. This issue has been resolved as per…

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Question 33181 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Will the water-related debt allocation and valuation methodology used by Wellington metropolitan councils be made public once the Commerce Commission holds the transfer agreement details required under the information disclosure…

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Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Answer

The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 requires that each party to a transfer agreement must make the agreement publicly available. Under that Act, parties may redact information that is commercially sensitive from the published…

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Question 33182 (2026)

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Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

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    Did the Department of Internal Affairs raise any concern with Wellington metropolitan councils about the higher consumer water charges resulting from their choice to allocate water-related debt on the basis of asset value including…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I’m advised by the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport that discussions were held with all councils including the Wellington metropolitan councils about the financial sustainability of their water service delivery.