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Showing 101 to 150 of 598 written question sets.

Answered

Question 30768 (2026)

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Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What contracts, if any, does Immigration New Zealand have for translating Pacific languages, by vendor, value of the contract, and when it was signed?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised Immigration New Zealand does not hold specific contracts for translating Pacific languages. Where interpretation services are required, these are accessed through the Language Assistance Services programme, administered by the…

Answered

14 questions (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 30842 (2026)

  • 30782

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30800

    Recorded target Nicole McKee, Minister for Courts

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30802

    Recorded target Casey Costello, Minister of Customs

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30814

    Recorded target Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

Show the remaining 10 questions
  • 30834

    Recorded target Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Health

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30842 (matches this search)

    Recorded target Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Immigration

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30848

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30850

    Recorded target Nicole McKee, Associate Minister of Justice

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30865

    Recorded target Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Police

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30885

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30901

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Media and Communications

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30931

    Recorded target Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30957

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific Peoples

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

  • 30959

    Recorded target Paul Goldsmith, Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

Answered by

Hon Nicola Willis

List MP · National Party · Minister of Finance

Answer

I as Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government sent letters to Ministers and Chief Executives of agencies included in the Public Service Transformation laying out expectations for eligible…

Answered

Question 30839 (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister instructed any chief executive not to action the head count reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026, and if so, which chief executives?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the member to page 72 of the Budget 2026 - Summary of Initiatives - 28 May 2026 which outlines information relevant to the Baseline Savings initiative including which agencies are excluded.…

Answered

Question 30840 (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the member to the reply to Written Parliamentary Question 30814 by the Minister of Finance.

Answered

Question 30841 (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister instructed any chief executive not to action the head count reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026, and if so, which chief executives?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to page 72 of the Budget 2026 - Summary of Initiatives - 28 May 2026 which outlines information relevant to the Baseline Savings initiative including which agencies are excluded.…

Answered

Question 30969 (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister instructed any chief executive not to action the head count reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026, and if so, which chief executives?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am not responsible for any departments. For answers relating to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, please refer to the Minister for Economic Growth.

Answered

Question 30974 (2026)

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Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What instructions, if any, has the Minister given to the Chief Executives they are responsible about the public service headcount reduction targets or baseline savings exercise as part of Budget 2026?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the member to the reply to written question 30814 by the Minister of Finance.

Answered

Question 30389 (2026)

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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the Minister, or any member of the Minister's office, aware of the number of permanent residents from the Pacific Islands are living in New Zealand and if so, what are those numbers, broken down by Pacific Island nation and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

Neither I nor any member of my office know the exact number of nationals of Pacific countries who hold New Zealand Permanent Resident Visas.

Answered

Question 30468 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 29 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where I am recorded as the main recipient as the Associate Minister of…

Answered

Question 30469 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 30470 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 29 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where the Minister of Immigration is recorded as the main recipient. Papers…

Answered

Question 30573 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 29 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

None

Answered

Question 30574 (2026)

Question published
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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 29 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

As Associate Minister of Immigration, none.

Answered

Question 30575 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 29 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill: minor amendment - Taken to Cabinet on 29 June 2026, deferred until 6 July 2026.

Answered

Question 29958 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 22 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where I am recorded as the main recipient as the Associate Minister of…

Answered

Question 29959 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 29960 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 22 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 22 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where the Minister of Immigration is recorded as the main recipient. Papers…

Answered

Question 30063 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

None

Answered

Question 30064 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

As Associate Minister of Immigration, I took one paper to Cabinet titled ‘Establishing a Permanent Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) Pathway’.

Answered

Question 30065 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 22 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I took one paper to Cabinet. It is not in the public interest to release the title at this time.

Answered

Question 29238 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

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  • (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 15 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 15 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where I am recorded as the main recipient as the Associate Minister of…

Answered

Question 29239 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 15 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 29240 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 15 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 15 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where the Minister of Immigration is recorded as the main recipient. Papers…

Answered

Question 29343 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

None

Answered

Question 29344 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

As Associate Minister of Immigration, none.

Answered

Question 29345 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 28512 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 8 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 8 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where I am recorded as the main recipient as the Associate Minister of…

Answered

Question 28513 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 8 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table. I am withholding the title of a document as it is not in the public interest to release it at this time.

Answered

Question 28514 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 8 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 8 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where the Minister of Immigration is recorded as the main recipient. Papers…

Answered

Question 28609 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 8 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

None

Answered

Question 28610 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 8 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

As Associate Minister of Immigration, none.

Answered

Question 28611 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 8 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 27158 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

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  • (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 1 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 27159 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 1 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 1 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where I am recorded as the main recipient as the Associate Minister of…

Answered

Question 27160 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · 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 1 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The documents I received from MBIE in the week beginning 1 June 2026 are listed in the table attached. This list includes formal briefings and aides-mémoire where the Minister of Immigration is recorded as the main recipient. Papers…

Answered

Question 27262 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 1 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Cameron Brewer

Member for Upper Harbour · National Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

None

Answered

Question 27264 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 1 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Casey Costello

List MP · NZ First Party · Associate Minister of Immigration

Answer

As Associate Minister of Immigration, none.

Answered

Question 27265 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 1 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 25925 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What Department of Conservation Initiatives are eligible for philanthropic gifts as part of the changes to the Active Investor Plus visa; expressed as a list?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

Eligible initiatives are specified on the Department of Conservation’s website (https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/donate-to-nature/eligible-donations-for-an-active-investor-plus-visa/): o Kiwi pukupuku o Tūturuatu o Kākāpō o Takahē o…

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Question 25926 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What charities are eligible for philanthropic gifts as part of the changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa; expressed as a list?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

For the purposes of the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, philanthropic investments can be made to New Zealand charities that are registered, have at least five years of compliant annual returns, have current Inland Revenue donee status,…

Answered

Question 25927 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Artificial Intelligence been used as part of the Biometric Capability Upgrade; if so, has the use of Artificial Intelligence directly lead to any delays, if there have been any, to the Biometric Capability Upgrade?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

INZ has used Artificial Intelligence in the form of biometric matching algorithms since 2016. One of the goals of the Biometric Capability Update (BCU) was to update the biometric algorithms responsible for facial and fingerprint matching.…

Answered

Question 25928 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Artificial Intelligence been used as part of the Biometric Capability Upgrade; if so, how much has been spent on Artificial Intelligence software?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

INZ has used Artificial Intelligence in the form of biometric matching algorithms since 2016. One of the goals of the Biometric Capability Update (BCU) was to update the biometric algorithms responsible for facial and fingerprint matching.…

Answered

Question 25929 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Artificial Intelligence been used as part of the Biometric Capability Upgrade; if so, has the use of Artificial Intelligence directly caused a reduction in FTEs working on the Biometric Capability Upgrade?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

INZ has used Artificial Intelligence in the form of biometric matching algorithms since 2016. One of the goals of the Biometric Capability Update (BCU) was to update the biometric algorithms responsible for facial and fingerprint matching.…

Answered

Question 25930 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Artificial Intelligence been used as part of the Biometric Capability Upgrade; if so, which artificial intelligence software has been used?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised that INZ has used Artificial Intelligence in the form of biometric matching algorithms since 2016. One of the goals of the Biometric Capability Update (BCU) was to update the biometric algorithms responsible for facial and…

Answered

Question 25931 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many Full-Time Equivalents, if any, are working, or have worked, on the Biometric Capability Upgrade?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

The BCU project has now been discontinued. I am advised that while the BCU project was running, MBIE FTE levels varied from 6 FTE to 28 FTE at any one time across the various phases of the BCU project.

Answered

Question 25932 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

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    Has Artificial Intelligence been used as part of the Biometric Capability Upgrade; if so, how?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised INZ has used Artificial Intelligence in the form of biometric matching algorithms since 2016. One of the goals of the Biometric Capability Update (BCU) was intended to update the biometric algorithms responsible for facial and…

Answered

Question 25933 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

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    Has the Biometric Capability Upgrade exceeded its funding appropriation; if so, by how much?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised by MBIE that the total cost of the project was $33.36m. However, the independent review that I received on 12 June has raised concerns that this may not be an accurate reflection of the actual costs of the project and that…

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Question 25934 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

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    How much, if anything, has been spent on the Biometric Capability Upgrade?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised by MBIE that the total cost of the project was $33.36m. However, the independent review that I received on 12 June has raised concerns that this may not be an accurate reflection of the actual costs of the project and that…

Answered

Question 25935 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

Question

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    When was the original expected go-live date for the Biometric Capability Upgrade?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I am advised the original expected go live date was July 2020.

Answered

Question 25936 (2026)

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Asked by

Phil Twyford

Member for Te Atatū · Labour Party

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    What advice, if any, has she received on the Biometric Capability Upgrade since January 1st 2026?

Answered by

Hon Erica Stanford

Member for East Coast Bays · National Party · Minister of Immigration

Answer

I have received both verbal and written advice following the decision by MBIE is late 2025 to discontinue the project. This includes advice as part of Budget 2026 which appropriates over $30m in repayable funding for the costs of writing…