Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 51 to 100 of 168 written question sets.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice since 1 July 2025, if any, has the Minister received regarding the Carbon Neutral Government Programme?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
Matching question numbers: 6580 (2026), 6583 (2026), 6889 (2026), 6890 (2026)
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
The list below sets out the number of full time equivalent (FTE) roles and number of vacancies as of 1 January 2023, 1 January 2024, 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2026 at the Tertiary Education Commission Year Number of FTES Number of…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 23 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to the list below of briefings I received from Education agencies during the week beginning 23 February 2026. Tertiary Education Commission 26 February 2026 - Revised Draft Plan Guidance for Investment for 2027 New…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 23 February 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
In my capacity as Minister for Vocational Education, my office has not declined any events or meeting requests that were scheduled to take place for the week beginning 23 February 2026.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green 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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 6948 (2026).
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 6775 (2025).
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
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 23 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 6764 (2025).
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many times, if any, did the Minister speak with Minister Stanford on the phone regarding Tertiary Education Commission funding?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Once.
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister speak with Minister Stanford about The Teacher's Institute at any point in time since becoming Minister; if so, when and through what medium?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
No.
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister discuss The Teacher's Institute with Tertiary Education Commission officials at any point in time since she became a Minister; if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have not discussed The Teacher’s Institute with Tertiary Education Commission officials.
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
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 16 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my written response to parliamentary question 5619 (2026).
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my written response to parliamentary question 5618 (2026).
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Further to 3265 (2026), how much funding did the Tertiary Education Commission provide to The Teacher's Institute for each of the years they were provided funding?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the member to the below, showing the funding provided to The Teacher’s Institute for each of the years they were provided funding. Year Funding 2025 $754,000 2026 $2,312,832 Total $3,006,832 The Teachers Institute received funding…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
How many candidates, if any, were shortlisted for the vacant position on the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission that was filled by Yvonne Browning in July 2025?
How many candidates, if any, were nominated for the vacant position on the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission that was filled by Yvonne Browning in July 2025?
How many candidates, if any, were interviewed for the vacant position on the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission that was filled by Yvonne Browning in July 2025?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
The Ministry of Education received 33 expressions of interest between the initial expressions of interest process in 2024 and Yvonne Browning’s appointment in 2025. Yvonne was the only candidate shortlisted for the secondary schooling…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green 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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 16 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to the list below of briefings I received from Education agencies during the week beginning 16 February 2026. Tertiary Education Commission 16 February 2026 - Tertiary Education and Skills and Vocational Education…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 16 February 2026, including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
In my capacity as Minister for Vocational Education, my office has not declined any events or meeting requests that were scheduled to take place for the week beginning 16 February 2026.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Open Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Open Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026. • NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 3 • NZ Certificate in Foundation Skills Level 1 • NZ…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026. • Training Scheme in Heavy Commercial Vehicle and Machine Tyres The following two programmes are not…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Whitireia Weltec in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Whitireia Weltec in 2025 but not in 2026. • New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Level 3) • New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Managed Apprenticeship)…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Western Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Western Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. • Community - Beauty and Makeup • Community - Hospitality • Community - Maori Enterprise •…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Universal College of Learning in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Universal College of Learning in 2025 but not in 2026. Wairarapa • NZ Certificate Mechanical Engineering - L3 • NZ Certificate in Primary Industry…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Otago Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Otago Polytechnic in 2025 but not in 2026. Certificate in Avian Wildlife Healthcare (Veterinarian) (Level 7) - Closing at completion of current cohort in…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Unitec Institute of Technology or Manukau Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in the merged Unitec Institute of Technology and Manukau Institute of Technology…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Unitec Institute of Technology or Manukau Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. Unitec: • Nursing Competency Assessment Training Scheme •…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Waikato Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Waikato Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. • Adult and Tertiary Teaching in Practice (Level 5) • Master of Professional Practice •…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. The below programmes are in teach out only for 2026 and will cease once current cohorts…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Southern Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Southern Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. Programmes not offered in 2026 • New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6) • New…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Eastern Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Eastern Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. • NZ Certificate in Digital Technologies (Level 2) • NZ Certificate in Digital Technologies (Level…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. • Vocational Pathways (NCEA Level 2) (Service Industries) • NZ Certificate in Food and…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What is the full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Ara Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
Please see below for full list of programmes and courses which were offered through Ara Institute of Technology in 2025 but not in 2026. Programmes not offered in 2026: • Bachelor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (Now…
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 Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I am advised by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) that since 2022, the TEC web practice has embedded the latest NZ Government Web Standards within its design and development processes. For newly commissioned sites, design and…
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
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 9 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to the list below of briefings I received from Education agencies during the week beginning 9 February 2026. Tertiary Education Commission 12 February 2026 - Draft Plan Guidance for Investment from 2027 Ministry of…
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
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 2 February 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to the list below of briefings I received from Education agencies during the week beginning 2 February 2026. Tertiary Education Commission 3 February 2026 - TEC Performance Report – Quarter Two 2025-26 4 February 2026 -…
Asked by
Shanan Halbert
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 2 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 9 February 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
In my capacity as Minister for Vocational Education, my office has not declined any events or meeting requests that were scheduled to take place for the week beginning 9 February 2026.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 9 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning Monday 9 February 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 4187 (2025).
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many complaints, if any, has the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology received regarding students enrolling in courses then not being able to start?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I am advised that New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) business divisions have not received any complaints from students enrolled in NZIST courses for the first semester of 2026 who were then not able to start due to the…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What asset sales, if any, happened during 2025 at each of the polytechnics and institutes of technology which formerly sat under Te Pukenga, listed by date, type of asset and amount?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I have been advised that the following property asset sales occurred during 2025 related to polytechnics that were formerly part of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, and which have now been established as standalone…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What was the total cost, if any, of rebranding from Te Pukenga to the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I am advised that the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) spent $2,145 (GST excl) for an external vendor to update its website to reflect the name change. A small number of key digital templates (e.g. report templates,…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2023 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2022 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2024 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend fixing database security breaches in the 2025 calendar year?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What government funding, if any, will be delivered to Ako Aotearoa this calendar year, and for what programmes and services, if any?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
There will be no government funding delivered to Ako Aotearoa in this calendar year (2026), as the entity closed on 31 December 2025.
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 26 January 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Minister or their staff had any discussions with any officials who planned to charge for replying to Official Information Act requests and if so, what advice, if any, did they provide those officials?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
No.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
In what circumstances would it be appropriate to charge for replying to Official Information Act requests made to their office, or agencies for which the Minister is responsible?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
I refer the Member to the Ombudsman's guidance on charging, which is publicly available here: https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/resources/charging-guide-charging-official-information-under-oia-and-lgoima.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On how many occasions, if any, during the 2025 calendar year did each agency for which the Minister has responsibility charge someone for providing information under the Official Information Act and for each instance what was the amount…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.
Asked by
Camilla Belich
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
On how many occasions, if any, during the 2025 calendar year did each agency for which the Minister has responsibility suggest to a requestor that a fee would be charged for providing information requested under the Official Information…
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Vocational Education
None.