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Showing 101 to 150 of 404 written question sets.

Answered

Question 29572 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, did the Minister receive about demand for Youth Guarantee funding during the Budget 2026 process, by date and title?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I received the following briefings on demand for funded Youth Guarantee places: 9 October 2025 - Further advice on Vote Tertiary Education Budget 2026 strategy 17 February 2026 - Further advice on immediate support for Youth Guarantee 05…

Answered

29431, 29434 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 29431 (matches this search)

    Was the 2023 funding review on higher education completed?

  • 29434 (matches this search)

    What was the outcome or result of the review into higher education funding?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

No, only the initial scoping phase of the review was completed. The initial findings of the review fed into the work of the University Advisory Group. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 29434 (2026)

Answered

29432, 29433 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 29432 (matches this search)

    Has the Minister received the findings of the 2023 higher education funding review?

  • 29433 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received about the 2023 funding review into higher education, by date and title?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I received the following briefing: 28 November 2023: Report- Challenges and opportunities in higher education funding. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 29432 (2026).

Answered

Question 29068 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 15 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to the list below of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents, my office or I received during the week beginning 15 June 2026. Tertiary Education Commission 18 June 2026 - Report to the…

Answered

Question 29070 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 15 June 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

My office receives a significant volume of invitations and meeting requests across all of my ministerial portfolios and responsibilities. To identify and collate every event or meeting declined during the specified period, including…

Answered

Question 29194 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 29068 (2026).

Answered

Question 29299 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

None

Answered

Question 28468 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to the list below of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents, my office or I received during the week beginning 8 June 2026. New Zealand Qualifications Authority 10 June 2026 - NZQA…

Answered

Question 28705 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 28706 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What events or meetings, if any, did the Minister decline to attend during the week beginning 8 June 2026 , including location, event description, and attendees?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

My office receives a significant volume of invitations and meeting requests across all of my ministerial portfolios and responsibilities. To identify and collate every event or meeting declined during the specified period, including…

Answered

Question 28710 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 8 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 28468 (2026).

Answered

28159, 28173, 28405, 28406 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28159 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many people, if any, appointed or reappointed by the Minister since 27 November 2023 to any board, committee, or other body of any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible…

  • 28173 (matches this search)

    Question published

    How many agenda items, if any, was each director or member of any board, committee, or other body of any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible excluded from or absent for…

  • 28405 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What total fees or other remuneration, if any, were paid to each director or member of a board or committee subject to a conflict of interest management plan at any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which…

  • 28406 (matches this search)

    Question published

    What total fees or other remuneration, if any, were paid to each director or member of a board or committee subject to a conflict of interest management plan at any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The information requested is not held centrally but is held by individual tertiary education institutions and industry skills boards, which are independent Crown entities or statutory bodies. Collating this material would require…

Answered

Question 28401 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    In how many cases, if any, was a director or member of a board or committee excluded from or absent for more than one-third of agenda items during their tenure at any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the member to my response to written parliamentary question 28159 (2026). This is also my response to WPQ 28405, 28406 (2026). **CONTEXT** WPQ 28159 (2026): Camila Belich to Penny Simmonds: How many people, if any, appointed or…

Answered

Question 27893 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 24385 (2026).

Answered

Question 27903 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents has the Minister or any member of their Office received, if any, during the week beginning 1 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to my response to written parliamentary question 27115 (2026).

Answered

Question 27115 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to the list below of the advice, reports, briefings, aide memoires, or any other documents, my office or I received during the week beginning 1 June 2026. Tertiary Education Comission 4 June 2026 - TEC's Report to the…

Answered

Question 27219 (2026)

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Asked by

Shanan Halbert

List MP · 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 Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The following Appointments and Honours Committee (APH) Cabinet paper was confirmed by Cabinet on 2 June 2026: Polytechnic governing councils and the Independent Chairperson of the Federation Committee: Appointments.

Answered

Question 27607 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, did the Minister or their officials receive recommending against, or proposing a lower figure than, any board fee increase the Minister subsequently approved since 27 November 2023 for any agency, department, Crown…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

None. The fee increases that I approved in this period were in line with the increases recommended by officials.

Answered

Question 27609 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many board or committee appointments and reappointments, if any, did the Minister make since 27 November 2023 to any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, broken down by…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I have appointed 12 members to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission since 27 November 2023. Two of these 12 were subsequently appointed to the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair. I was the Minister responsible for Education New…

Answered

Question 27610 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What additional payments, allowances, or expenses, if any — including but not limited to meeting fees, daily rates, travel, or accommodation — were paid to board or committee members of any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The Tertiary Education Commission paid $174,278 in additional Commissioner expenses since 27 November 2023. This includes $113,437 for airfares, $22,284 for taxis, $12,443 for accommodation, $10,652 for other travel expenses, $15,000 in…

Answered

Question 27611 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many board fee increases, if any, did the Minister approve since 27 November 2023 that exceeded the rate or range in the Cabinet Fees Framework for any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I did not approve any fee increases since 27 November 2023 which exceeded the rate or range in the Cabinet Fees Framework.

Answered

Question 27612 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total amount, if any, paid in board and committee fees by each agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible in each financial year since 27 November 2023, broken down by…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The Tertiary Education Commission paid $668,507 of fees to its Commissioners since 27 November 2023. The annual fees paid to members of tertiary education institution governing councils, Industry Skills Boards and the former Workforce…

Answered

Question 27614 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What board fees, if any, are currently paid to the chair and to each member of every board, committee, or other body of any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, broken down…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Under clause 17(1) of Schedule 11 of the Education and Training Act 2020, I set the maximum fees for the governing councils of universities, wānanga and polytechnics in accordance with the Fees Framework, and the individual council must…

Answered

Question 27813 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many board fee increases, if any, approved by the Minister since 27 November 2023 for any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible were backdated or applied retrospectively,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

No fee increases approved since 27 November 2023 were backdated or applied retrospectively for any organisation for which I am responsible.

Answered

Question 27815 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total additional annual cost, if any, of all board fee increases approved by the Minister since 27 November 2023 across any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

A temporary increase of 25% was approved from 10 November 2025 to 30 June 2026 for the Tertiary Education Commission Chair and Deputy Chair. The only fee increase approved during this period was an increase to the maximum fee payable to…

Answered

Question 27817 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What board fee increases, if any, did the Minister approve for any board, committee, or other body of any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, broken…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Under clause 17(1) of Schedule 11 of the Education and Training Act 2020, I set the maximum fees for the governing councils of universities and wānanga in accordance with the Fees Framework, and the individual council must then determine…

Answered

25879, 25880, 25881, 25882 (2026)

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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Questions

  • 25879 (matches this search)

    How many complaints, if any, did Te Pūkenga receive regarding Recognition of Prior Learning in January - June 2026?

  • 25880 (matches this search)

    How many complaints, if any, did Te Pukenga receive regarding Recognition of Prior Learning in July-December 2024?

  • 25881 (matches this search)

    How many complaints, if any, did Te Pukenga receive regarding Recognition of Prior Learning in July-December 2025?

  • 25882 (matches this search)

    How many complaints, if any, did Te Pūkenga receive regarding Recognition of Prior Learning in January - June 2025?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I am advised the that the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), formerly Te Pūkenga, does not receive individual learner complaints and therefore cannot comment on the specific nature of such complaints. Individual…

Answered

Question 26312 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many financial settlements, if any, have been entered into with employees, former employees, contractors, or office holders by any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The list below sets out financial settlements entered in to by TEC since the 27 November 2023 broken down by total cost and year. Year No. Settlements Cost (gross) 2026 (5 June) 1 $45,833 2025 1 $15,206 2024 0 0 2023 (27 Nov) 0 0 Total…

Answered

Question 26325 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total expenditure, actual or projected, if any, on staff redundancies across all agencies, departments, Crown entities, companies, or other organisations for which the Minister is responsible arising from Budget 2026 decisions,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

No decisions have yet been made re Budget ’26 for Tertiary Education Commission.

Answered

Question 26328 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total amount, if any, spent by agencies, departments, Crown entities, companies, or other organisations for which the Minister is responsible on advertising, communications, or promotional activity relating to Budget 2026,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Tertiary Education Commission did not incur any expenditure on advertising, communications, or promotional activity relating to Budget 2026.

Answered

Question 26330 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister, or any member of their office, hold or store any official information relating to their portfolio or ministerial duties in private or personal email accounts, and if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The deliberate use of a personal email account to conduct work activities as an alternate to using the work email provided to staff is not permitted. However, from time to time there are justifiable reasons for a private email to be used –…

Answered

Question 26332 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many confidential settlement agreements, non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses, if any, have been entered into with employees, former employees, contractors, or office holders by any agency, department, Crown entity,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Tertiary Education Commission has entered into two records of settlement with employees since the 23 November 2023 up to 5 June 2026. The detail of total cost by year is set out in WPQ 26312 (2026).

Answered

Question 26333 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister had any lobbying or advocacy meetings since 27 November 2023 that do not appear in the Minister's published diary, and if so, on what dates, with whom, and for what purpose, as at 5 June 2026?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

No.

Answered

Question 26407 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people so far have enrolled in a diploma in enrolled nursing in 2026 and of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens or other?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the member to the list below that shows the number of learners reported in April 2026 enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing that is required for registration as an enrolled nurse by citizenship or residency…

Answered

Question 26413 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people are projected to graduate as Enrolled Nurses at the end of 2026, 2027 and in 2028 respectively and of these how many are projected to be New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens or other?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I am advised that neither the Tertiary Education Commission nor the Ministry of Education hold this information.

Answered

Question 26423 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people so far have enrolled in a graduate entry master’s degree that leads to a Registered Nurse qualification in 2026 and of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens or other?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the member to the list below that shows the number of learners reported in April 2026 enrolled in a graduate entry Masters nursing qualification that is a pre-requisite to registration as a nurse by citizenship or residency status.…

Answered

Question 26433 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people are projected to graduate as Registered Nurses via a graduate entry master’s degree at the end of 2026, 2027 and in 2028 respectively and of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I am advised that neither the Tertiary Education Commission nor the Ministry of Education hold this information.

Answered

Question 26441 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people so far have enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing programme in 2026 and of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens or other?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the member to the list below that shows the number of learners reported in April 2026 enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing qualification that is a pre-requisite to registration as a nurse by citizenship or residency status.…

Answered

Question 26451 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people enrolled and completed their first year of a Bachelor of Nursing programme in 2025, and how many have continued into their second year of the degree in 2026, of both of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I am advised that the Tertiary Education Commission does not hold information on what courses are required in each year of a qualification and therefore cannot identify learners who have completed first year requirements and progressed to…

Answered

Question 26462 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many people are projected to graduate as Registered Nurses via the Bachelor of Nursing at the end of 2026, 2027 and in 2028 respectively and of these how many are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, Australian citizens or other?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I am advised that neither the Tertiary Education Commission nor the Ministry of Education hold this information.

Answered

Question 26688 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What new spending initiatives or Budget bids, if any, did the Minister or their agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, submit for Budget 2026, listed by title, amount sought,…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

All initiatives and financial recommendations considered by Cabinet for Budget 2026 were agreed. Individual initiatives are listed in Table 1.1 of the Estimates of Appropriation 2026/27 for Vote Tertiary Education: Vote Tertiary…

Answered

Question 26696 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the total sum, if any, spent on wages for any contractors and consultants who have been previously employed in a different capacity at any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 26703 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many staff, if any, at any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible, since 27 November 2023, have been made redundant, broken down by month and by (a) voluntary redundancy…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table that sets out the number of Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) staff who have been made redundant broken down by month since the 27 November 2023. TEC did not seek voluntary redundancy. No staff…

Answered

Question 26707 (2026)

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Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which agencies, departments, Crown entities, companies, or other organisations for which the Minister is responsible, if any, have been required to identify or deliver baseline savings or staffing reductions since 27 November 2023, and how…

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) contributed operating fiscal savings of 6% per annum or $14.9 million over four years effective from 1/7/2024 through Budget 2024. TEC contributed a further 5% or $2.900 million per annum of operating…

Answered

Question 26715 (2026)

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Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

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    What redundancy or restructuring costs, if any, have been incurred by any agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible since 27 November 2023, listed by organisation, the number of…

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Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

Tertiary Education Commission has made 48 positions redundant since the 27 November 2023. The total cost of redundancy payments is $1,559,195.76 as at 5 June 2026.

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Question 26950 (2026)

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Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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    Which, if any, of the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, were asked to identify savings as part of the 2026 Budget?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

All departments, agencies, crown entities and other bodies are expected to identify opportunities for savings, reprioritisation, and efficiencies as part of business-as-usual activities. The Budget 2026 invitation letters outline the…

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Question 26952 (2026)

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Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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    What cost pressures within their relevant portfolio Votes, if any, was the Minister informed of prior to Budget 2026 - listing any advice received on this by date and title?

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Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

I was informed of cost pressures relating to volume pressures and increasing costs in Vote Tertiary Education prior to Budget 2026. The Treasury and the Ministry of Education will proactively release material from the Budget process in due…

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Question 26953 (2026)

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Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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    Which, if any, of the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, were invited to make Budget bids as part of Budget 2026?

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Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The Budget 2026 invitation letters contain this information. These will be released as part of the Budget 2026 proactive release.

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Question 26954 (2026)

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Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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    What rules or directives, if any, were sent to the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, regarding making bids for Budget 2026?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The Budget 2026 invitation letters, and Budget 2026 templates and guidance outline this information. These will be released as part of the Budget 2026 proactive release.

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Question 25850 (2026)

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Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

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    How much, if any, is the total budget in the Minister's departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the 2026/27 financial year on artificial intelligence- including costs on…

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Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Tertiary Education

Answer

The total indicative budget for artificial intelligence (AI) related expenditure within Tertiary Education Commission for the 2026/27 financial year is approximately $374,000. This includes costs for software subscriptions (such as…