Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 51 to 100 of 1124 written question sets.
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 31 August 2026, including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Refer to the response to WPQ 10239 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Has the Minister received any advice regarding the United States-Cook Islands critical minerals agreement; if so, what were the key findings of that advice?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Refer to the response to WPQ 3621 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 31 August 2026, including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the member to answer to written question 31764 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What consultation, if any, has the Minister undertaken with the people of Penrhyn/Tongareva about the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment project?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Governments of Cook Islands, New Zealand, the United States coordinated closely on the development and announcement of this proposal. Consultation with the people of Penrhyn is a matter for the Cook Islands Government.
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What assurances, if any, has the Minister sought that the New Zealand-United States funded Penrhyn Port Redevelopment project will not be used to support future seabed-mining operations?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
None. The Cook Islands is responsible for the usage of Omoka Port.
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What consultation, if any, has the Minister undertaken with the people of Penrhyn/Tongareva about the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment project?
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the member to the Minister of Foreign Affairs response to WPQ 29583 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Was the Minister aware of the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to earlier this year when decisions relating to New Zealand funding for the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project were made; if so, what…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Refer to the response to WPQ 3621 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What assurances, if any, has the Minister sought that the New Zealand-United States funded Penrhyn Port Redevelopment project will not be used to support future seabed-mining operations?
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the Member to the Minister of Foreign Affairs response to WPQ 39584 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Was the Minister aware of the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to earlier this year when decisions relating to New Zealand funding for the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project were made; if so, what…
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the Member to the response to WPQ 3621 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister support a precautionary approach to deep-sea mining in the Pacific and if not, why not?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand respects the rights of Pacific countries to manage their own stewardship responsibilities, consistent with UNCLOS. New Zealand supports the development of options towards a 'Pacific approach' to a deep sea mining in areas…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister support a precautionary approach to deep-sea mining in the Pacific and if not, why not?
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the Member to the Minister of Foreign Affairs response to WPQ 39594 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What consideration, if any, has the Minister given to statements by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau that the Penrhyn Port project builds on the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
We released the joint statement announcing the project, together with Deputy Secretary Landau and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
Recorded target Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs
What information, advice, assessments, or briefings received by the Minister since 1 January 2024 refer to minerals, seabed minerals, critical minerals, or mineral exploration in relation to the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project?
Recorded target Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs
What information, advice, assessments, or briefings received by the Minister support the statement that New Zealand's funding of the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project is not related to minerals?
Recorded target Todd McClay, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
What information, advice, assessments, or briefings received by the Minister support the statement that New Zealand's funding of the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project is not related to minerals?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
The following advice was recieved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: - US infrastructure offer for Cook Islands (29 April 2026) - US infrastructure offer for Cook Islands - New Zealand contribution (27 May 2026). - New…
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What consideration, if any, has the Minister given to statements by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau that the Penrhyn Port project builds on the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to…
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the Member to the Minister of Foreign Affairs response to WPQ 39600 (2026).
Asked by
Teanau Tuiono
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What information, advice, assessments, or briefings received by the Minister since 1 January 2024 refer to minerals, seabed minerals, critical minerals, or mineral exploration in relation to the Penrhyn Port Redevelopment Project?
Answered by
Hon Todd McClay
Member for Rotorua · National Party · Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs
I refer the Member to the Minister of Foreign Affairs response to WPQ 39602 (2026).
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What commitments, if any, did New Zealand make at the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum in relation to transnational organised crime, and at what level of representation were those commitments made?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Transnational organised crime is a long-standing component of New Zealand's Pacific diplomacy and development programme, and is regularly discussed with Pacific governments - including at this year's PIF.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What arrangements, if any, has the Government made to ensure New Zealand is represented at political level at every session of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting it hosts in 2027?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand's 2027 PIF hosting will be the subject of advicee to the incoming government following the 2026 general election.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is New Zealand's contribution to the additional funding referred to by the Prime Minister as having been spent on the fuel crisis in the Pacific, and from which appropriation is it drawn?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand has helped Pacific Island countries in a variety of ways to aid them in responding to the fuel crisis, drawing on funding from New Zealand's international development cooperation programme administered by the Ministry of…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the estimated total cost to the Crown of New Zealand's attendance at the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, including travel, accommodation and any chartered transport?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
The estimated total costs are not yet available and will become available once post-event reconciliations have occurred.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was the port arrangement with the Cook Islands and the United States announced in Palau considered by Cabinet, and if so, on what date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yes, on Monday 31 August, following consideration by Cabinet's Foreign Policy and National Security Committee (FPS) on Tuesday 25 August.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What is the total value of New Zealand's contribution to the port arrangement with the Cook Islands and the United States announced in Palau, over what period, and from which appropriation is it funded?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
NZ$17.5 million, from New Zealand's International Development Cooperation Programme administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What was the total size of the New Zealand delegation to the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum, broken down by Ministers, ministerial staff and officials?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
The New Zealand delegation to the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting comprised 28 people, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, four ministerial staff and 22 officials.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many bilateral or plurilateral meetings did the Minister of Foreign Affairs hold in Palau between 30 August and 1 September 2026, with whom, and on what dates?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Details of all the Minister's engagements in Palau are publicly available on hi X account, @NewZealandMFA.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On whose instruction did the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs decline to comment on New Zealand's representation at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is beng referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' meeting". A range of meeting were held in Palau over the spae of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What representations, if any, has the Government received from any Pacific Islands Forum member, the Forum Secretariat, or any other government since 2 September 2026 concerning New Zealand's level of representation at the formal leaders'…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What representations, if any, did New Zealand make to any other Pacific Islands Forum member about that member's level of representation at the 2026 leaders' meeting, and on what dates?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
None.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What assessment, if any, has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade made of the implications of New Zealand's level of representation at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026 for New Zealand's standing…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "forum Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Were the comments attributed to senior New Zealand officials describing another member's absence from the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum as "an effective boycott" authorised, and if so, by whom?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It i unclear what comment are being referred to.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was the Minister of Foreign Affairs aware, at the time he made public comments about Kiribati's representation at the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum, that New Zealand would not be represented by the Prime Minister or a Minister at the formal…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What did the Minister of Foreign Affairs mean by his statement that "we've all got to organise ourselves around these matters to get here", and does that expectation apply to New Zealand?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
We meant what we said.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What decisions, communiqué provisions or regional commitments were agreed at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026 to which New Zealand is a party, and were any agreed without political-level New Zealand…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What instructions or delegated authority was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade official representing New Zealand at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026 given, and was that official authorised to…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did New Zealand deliver a national statement or intervention at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026, and if so, who delivered it and who approved the text?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
In what respects, if any, did the arrangements adopted for New Zealand's representation at the 2026 Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting differ from the advice provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what this question means.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What assessment, if any, did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provide of the risks or consequences of New Zealand not being represented at head of government or ministerial level at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders'…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advise that New Zealand should be represented at head of government or ministerial level at the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026, and was that advice accepted?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the "formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting". A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Was any consideration given to the Minister of Foreign Affairs remaining in Palau until the Prime Minister's arrival, and if so, by whom and on what date was that considered?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
A range of scenarios for New Zealand's representation at this year's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting were considered on a range of dates by a range of people.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What engagements or commitments, if any, required the Minister of Foreign Affairs to return to New Zealand before the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
It is unclear what is being referred to as the “formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting”. A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On what date did the Minister of Foreign Affairs depart Palau, and why did he not remain for the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Minister departed Palau on the evening of Tuesday 1 September 2026. It is unclear what is being referred to as the “formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting”. A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which,…
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What criteria, if any, does the Government apply in deciding whether New Zealand will diverge from the voting positions of Australia and Canada at the United Nations?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, and makes its own decisions based on its own assessment of our country's national interest.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On how many occasions, if any, since 27 November 2023 has New Zealand's vote in the United Nations General Assembly differed from the votes of both Australia and Canada, and on which resolutions?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Voting records at the United Nations are publicly available, and the Member is encouraged to do her own research.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued any revised guidance since 27 November 2023 on how New Zealand determines its voting positions on United Nations resolutions concerning human rights, and if so, when and at whose…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
No.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On how many recorded votes in the United Nations General Assembly during its eightieth session has New Zealand abstained, and how does that compare with the seventy-ninth and seventy-eighth sessions?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Voting records at the United Nations are publicly available, and the Member is encouraged to do her own research.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What communications plan or media strategy, if any, was prepared in relation to New Zealand's abstention on the 31 August 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote on draft resolution A/80/L.107, and was it approved by the Minister of…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
None.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Why did the Government not publicly announce, at the time of the vote, its decision to abstain on the 31 August 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote on draft resolution A/80/L.107 concerning the participation of Indigenous Peoples'…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Votes at the United Nations are public and therefore do not need to be "announced".
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did New Zealand issue any public statement, media release or social media post announcing or explaining its abstention on the 31 August 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote on draft resolution A/80/L.107, and if so, on what date?
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Votes at the United Nations are public and therefore do not need to be “announced”.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Notwithstanding its abstention, will New Zealand give effect to the provisions of resolution A/80/L.107 concerning the participation of Indigenous Peoples' representatives and representative institutions in meetings of relevant United…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
Member states do not need to “give effect” to provisions of UNGA resolutions because UNGA resolutions do not create legal obligations on Member states.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What support or funding, if any, does the Government provide to enable Māori representatives and representative institutions to participate in meetings of United Nations bodies on issues affecting them, and does the Government intend to…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
We are advised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not provide funding for Māori representatives and representative institutions to participate in meetings of United Nations bodies.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What representations, if any, has the Government received from other governments, Indigenous Peoples' organisations, or United Nations bodies since 31 August 2026 concerning New Zealand's abstention on draft resolution A/80/L.107 on the…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
None.
Asked by
Vanushi Walters
List MP · Labour Party
(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 31 August 2026 United Nations General Assembly vote on draft resolution A/80/L.107 for New Zealand's…
Answered by
Rt Hon Winston Peters
List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs
None.