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Showing 51 to 100 of 669 written question sets.

Answered

Question 39654 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people, if any, have written to the Minister with a complaint about non-elected members on Council committees, between January 1 2026 and June 2 2026, by month?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I receive a very large amount of correspondence. This correspondence is not categorised by the specific nature of any complaint, eg: unelected members. To answer the member's question, my office would need…

Answered

Question 39713 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports or briefings, has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the impact that removing water services from the rates calculation as a result of Local Water Done Well and/or Rates Capping legislation, will…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not received any advice, reports or briefings specifically on the impact that removing water services from rates calculations as a result of Local Water Done Well and/or rates capping legislation would have on rates increases.

Answered

Question 39714 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has the Minister received of the change in the total amount of central government funding transferred to local authorities over the three years from 1 July 2027, across all portfolios and not only transport, broken…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39715 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the average rates increase set by each council for the 2026/27 financial year, broken down by council, and how does each compare with the level of the proposed cap on rates increases?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Data shows that based on their reported rates increases, most councils are currently operating outside of the proposed rates cap target range of 2-4%. Sixty-five councils are above 4%, four are below 2% and the remaining nine are within…

Answered

Question 39716 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many councils, if any, have advised the Minister or the Department of Internal Affairs that the reduction in the share of their land transport costs met by the New Zealand Transport Agency from 2027/28 will affect their ability to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am aware of general concerns about the effect that changes to the New Zealand Transport Agency’s funding assistance rates may have on council finances. However, I have not received advice identifying the number of councils that have…

Answered

38173, 39646 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    38173 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 24 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Mike Davidson

    List MP · Green Party

    39646 (matches this search)

    Question published

    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 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As the Minister of Local Government, I received the following aides-mémoires, briefings, memos, notes, reports or any other advice during the week beginning 24 August 2026: • 24/08/2026 - Meeting with Mayor Mahé Drysdale: Tauranga…

Answered

39487, 39635 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    39487 (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    39635 (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31/08/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39643 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 39648 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What portion of the average 14% rates increase across the country used in his answer to an oral question on 26 August 2026 that "In 2024, we saw average rates increases across the country of 14 percent. If we’d had a 4 percent rates cap at…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The 14% increases relate to median projected total rates increases, as reported in the Local Government Performance information on the MCERT website.

Answered

Question 39649 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister apologise to the Waitaki District Council for using their 2026/27 Annual Plan to demonstrate the savings a rates cap could have made in answer to oral question 4 on 26 August 2026, without first taking out the water…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 39650 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Minister include the 31.4% water services portion of the Watiaki District Council's Annual Plan in answer to an oral question on ‘how much ratepayers could save with a rates cap?' on August 26th, when water services are…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The example was given to demonstrate the delta between the proposed increase and a hypothetical 4% increase.

Answered

Question 39653 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with Mayors Phil Mauger and Mel Tavendale and LGNZ that many of the drivers of rates’ increases, such as government mandates, inflation, insurance and interest rates, are out of their Council’s control and, if so,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I agree that many factors drive council rates, and that councils can control some more than others. Consideration of what should and should not be included in the rates cap during the policy development process.

Answered

Question 39299 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Did the rates savings figure of $15 800 over ten years if a 4% rates cap was in place, that the Minister used for Hamilton City Council's 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, in answer to Oral Question 1 on 3 September include the water service portion…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 39157 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice has the Minister had, if any, on whether the 2% minimum rates increase level proposed in the Local Government (Rates Capping) Bill is "designed to be enough to cover maintenance" and mitigate council credit rating downgrades,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised that officials had numerous conversations with credit rating agencies, the concerns of credit rating agencies has been considered in the design of the legislation.

Answered

Question 38622 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following 3993 (2026), did the Minister for Local Government alert the Minister for Education that the list of places where 'do not drink' notices were issued included a number of schools?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I wrote to the Minister of Education concerning the safety of school drinking water supplies and the incidence of ‘do not drink’ notices in 2025. The Water Services Authority is monitoring progress on the Ministry of Education’s programme…

Answered

Question 38853 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2023/24 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai did not spend money on artificial intelligence in the 2023/24 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2023/24 financial…

Answered

Question 38855 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2025/26 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $28,611 on artificial intelligence in the 2025/26 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2025/26 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38857 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, was spent in the 2024/25 financial year in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on artificial intelligence, including costs on training…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $19,841 on artificial intelligence in the 2024/25 financial year. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2024/25 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38860 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (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 on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $1,637,612 on consultants between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2024/25 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38883 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (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 on consultancy costs, from 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai spent $2,104,854 on consultants between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. The Local Government Commission was hosted within the Department of Internal Affairs during the 2025/26 financial year. I…

Answered

Question 38958 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much was the total cost in New Zealand dollar terms, if any, of redundancy processes initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Since 27 November 2023, the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has made redundancy payments totalling $428,365.27. From 27 November 2023 until 30 June 2026, The Local Government Commission (LGC) was hosted within the Department of…

Answered

Question 39108 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When, if ever has the Minister for Local Government discussed with the Minister for Education the five schools across New Zealand (Five Forks School, Te Kowhai School, Ashburton Borough School – Lagmhor site, Harrisville School, and Te…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Minister of Education and I have discussed the need to address drinking water safety and compliance for all self-supplied schools. I have not discussed these specific schools with the Minister of Education.

Answered

39109, 39110 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Questions

  • 39109 (matches this search)

    Is the Minister aware that five schools across New Zealand (Five Forks School, Te Kowhai School, Ashburton Borough School – Lagmhor site, Harrisville School, and Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha) have changed or upgraded their drinking water…

  • 39110 (matches this search)

    Following Reply 36520 (2026), is the Minister aware that, as per Reply 37325 (2026) from the Minister of Education, that Five Forks School in Otago has changed or upgraded its drinking water supply as a result of exceeding the nitrate…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am aware of Reply 37325 (2026).

Answered

Question 39118 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister, or any member of his office, received on the establishment of a regulator for the development and oversight of the Council rates cap and/or how the costs of the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

A regulatory analysis summary was made available on the website of the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport alongside the release of the Bill. That is available here:…

Answered

Question 39137 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What authorities would have been granted an exemption to a rates cap, listed by the specific weather event or natural disaster the exemption would have been allowed for, had the proposed rates cap been in place for the last three years; if…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Under the framework introduced in the Local Government (Rates Capping) Amendment Bill, decisions on type 1 exemptions to the council rates cap are made after advice from the independent central government regulator. As this regulator has…

Answered

Question 39138 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many redundancy processes have been initiated, if any, in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has initiated six redundancy processes since 27 November 2023. From 27 November 2023 until 30 June 2026, The Local Government Commission (LGC) was hosted within the Department of Internal…

Answered

Question 38105 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice has the minister had on the implementation of rates capping in other jurisdictions and the impact that has had on levels of service and delivery and maintenance of infrastructure and how has that advice (if any) been…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Officials provided advice on the experience in other jurisdictions, through briefings on 13 December 2024 and 13 February 2025, and a summary of the New South Wales State Parliament Inquiry into Ability of local governments to fund…

Answered

Question 38277 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 24 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 38342 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What were the other reasons that the budget for rates rebates was reduced in Financial Year 2026/27 apart from the shift to NZ SuperGold Card holders and has the Minister had any advice on raising the threshold for all low income…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The budget for the Rates Rebate Scheme has not been reduced. An appropriation of $117 million is forecast for the Scheme in 2026/27. This is an increase of $3 million from the 2025/26 budget of $114 million. Of the $117 million for…

Answered

Question 37864 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the drivers of Council rates increases and/or any impact that removing water services will have on rates increases?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received numerous advice, reports, briefings, documents and correspondence on the drivers of council rates increases, both from officials and in interactions with council representatives. I do not consider it in the public interest…

Answered

Question 37865 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on the estimated costs of amalgamation to councils of the headstart proposals submitted by councils and what is the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I do not have an estimate of the costs councils incurred while preparing their Head Start proposals. Head Start proposals should outline a high-level design for a future unitary authority, and councils were not expected to need to engage…

Answered

Question 37866 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister or any member of his office had, if any, on a government contribution towards the costs of council amalgamations and what advice is the Minister seeking or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not received advice on government contribution towards the costs of council amalgamations. The Government is assessing Head Start proposals and will consider support for amalgamating councils during the detailed design phase.

Answered

Question 37867 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, briefings, documents or correspondence has the Minister, or any member of his office, received on the establishment of a Department for Local Government or similar, if any, and given the Select Committee report ‘Five Reports…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None, and no.

Answered

Question 38001 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following reply 37170 (2026), was the letter regarding the "LGNZ response to use of climate change assumptions letter to councils" discussed at the subsequent meeting with Local Government New Zealand?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No

Answered

Question 37789 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following reply 36156 (2026), is the Minister aware of whether the Departmental of Internal Affairs or Taumata Arowai holds information on how many councils' water services are contracted to Veolia?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

On 1 July 2026, the Local Government portfolio transferred from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), this included all current and previous work programmes. As…

Answered

37516, 37680 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    37516 (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 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    37680 (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 17/08/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As the Minister of Local Government, I received the following aides-mémoires, briefings, memos, notes, reports or any other advice during the week beginning 3 August 2026: • 17/08/2026 - Background information and talking points to support…

Answered

Question 37620 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 37679 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 17/08/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 36812 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As the Minister of Local Government, I received the following advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents from the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport during the week beginning 10 August 2026 •…

Answered

Question 36903 (2026)

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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 10 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 36515 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following 6271 (2026), has the Minister since read or received advice on the Environment Southland report on nitrate contamination in groundwater, which states that "approximately 1,530 people on private supplies and 13,632 on public…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No

Answered

Question 36520 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What other water supplies in the South Island, beyond Laghmor School's, is the Minister aware of that have exceeded the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water during his time in Government?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Since November 2023, the Water Services Authority -Taumata Arowai has advised the Minister of two South Island drinking water supplies exceeding the nitrate maximum acceptable value (MAV) - Gore and Lower Waihao Rural.

Answered

Question 36525 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the Minister aware of whether there was any point at which students and staff at Lagmhor School may have continued to use water from a well that recorded nitrate levels above the drinking water standard, before the school was provided…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 36526 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the statement of James Meager MP in a Facebook post that Lagmhor School "has had safe drinking water provided to it consistently while [a new drinking water well] was drilled and tested"?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I understand that alternative supply arrangements for water have been available at the school from 3 March 2025.

Answered

Question 36527 (2026)

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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister agree with the statement of James Meager MP that a story on One News about water from Laghmor School's previously used drinking water bore exceeding the maximum acceptable value for nitrate is "scaremongering by those…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As I am not familiar with the full context in which those comments were given and have not viewed the One News story in question, I do not have a view on that statement.

Answered

Question 36572 (2026)

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Asked by

Lemauga Lydia Sosene

Member for Māngere · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the total cost of the Minister's flights, if any, over 11 – 12 August 2026, broken down by flight?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised that the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) has not yet processed or paid any invoice for flights taken by Ministers on 11 and 12 August 2026. As a result, the total cost of my airfares is not yet available. These…

Answered

36236, 36328 (2026)

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Questions

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    36236 (matches this search)

    Recorded target Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government

    Question published

    Following 29017 (2026), when will Taumata Arowai publish its next "Quarterly Performance Report", for Q4 2026?

  • Asked by

    Jan Tinetti

    List MP · Labour Party

    36328

    Recorded target David Seymour, Associate Minister of Education

    Question published

    What data, if any, is recorded by the Ministry of Education regarding the amount of teachers in Early Childhood Education centres who do not hold a teaching qualification; if any, how many teachers in Early Childhood Education centres do…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai intends to publish its Q4 2025/26 Quarterly Performance Report alongside its 2025/26 Annual Report, which must be published by early December 2026.

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Question 36070 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

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    Did the Independent Reference Group that helped develop a rates cap policy recommend exactly what the Minister proposed in his 1 December 2025 press release?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No.

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Question 36071 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

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    Is his 1 December 2025 press releases proposing a rates cap still correct when it says “that relevant legislation will be enacted during 2026 and be law from 1 January 2027”; if not, why will this timeframe not be met and what other…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Following the announcement on 1 December 2025 I undertook targeted consultation with stakeholders on the policy. Incorporating changes to the policy as a result of this work took longer than anticipated. It remains my intention to…

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Question 36072 (2026)

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Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

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    What are the total payments made, if any, to members of the Independent Reference Group that worked on a rates cap policy?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The total amount paid to members is $33,125 excluding GST.