Skip to main content

Written questions

Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.

Filters
Asked by All MPs
Minister All Ministers
Portfolio Local Government
Question published between

Dates refer to when the question was published, and are inclusive.

Clear all filters

Showing 251 to 300 of 669 written question sets.

Answered

Question 30170 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the cost, if any, to the Water Services Authority of the additional stakeholder engagement and statutory consultation required under the Water Services Act 2021 to correct the drafting errors identified after the wastewater…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority) has resourced all work related to stakeholder engagement and statutory consultation required for the wastewater standards through the Authority’s existing staff.

Answered

Question 30171 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has the Minister received of the additional consenting costs to councils and ratepayers attributable to the drafting errors in the wastewater standards, and the delay in correcting them?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have not received an estimate. The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai has actively engaged with impacted parties (councils and consent authorities) since errors were identified in the wastewater standards to mitigate adverse…

Answered

Question 30172 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many resource consent applications were lodged or processed between 19 December 2025 and the date the technical amendments for wastewater services came into force, and what advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether those…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

My officials are not aware of any consents granted under the wastewater standards.

Answered

Question 29878 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the Commerce Commission has sufficient resourcing to monitor compliance with the ring-fencing requirements across all water service providers, given the number of new water…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Commerce Commission (the Commission) is funded through a levy charged to water service providers which finances all of the Commission enforcement and monitoring activities for water services. I have not received any advice indicating…

Answered

Question 29879 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the funding impact statement requirements as designed are achievable for smaller councils and newly established water organisations that may lack the financial reporting…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The funding impact statements for water services were design to mirror, as closely as practicable, the existing funding impact statements that councils of all sizes currently use. I have not received any advice indicating that smaller…

Answered

Question 29880 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What assurance, if any, has the Minister received that the draft funding impact statement template attached to the April 2026 Cabinet paper has been tested with water service providers, including newly established water organisations,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Draft regulations are not commonly shared with the public, however, as noted above, the new funding impact statements are closely modelled on the existing forms used by councils. Following Cabinet agreement in April my officials consulted…

Answered

Question 29882 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Minister propose replacing the "increase (decrease) in reserves" line item with "increase (decrease) in working capital" in water services funding impact statements, and what advice, if any, did the Minister receive on whether…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised that the “increase (decrease) in reserves” item is intended to capture where a council has retained a sum of money for the purposes of applying it to an activity different from the activity where the income was earned. Because…

Answered

Question 29883 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on how the funding impact statement framework interacts with the Commerce Commission's ring-fencing enforcement role under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, and whether the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

My officials consulted with the Commerce Commission (the Commission) during the development of the new funding impact statement templates to ensure that the Commission could collect information through these forms that would help them…

Answered

Question 29885 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What criteria, if any, will the Minister apply in approving matters that arise during the drafting of the Local Government (Water Services) Order in Council that may be required to align with the funding impact statement decisions, and…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The final decisions were previously reported to the Cabinet Legislation Committee when the final regulations were made and will be proactively released on the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport website.

Answered

Question 29886 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the requirement for water service providers to disclose cumulative internal debt balances is sufficient to prevent ratepayer funds from being used to cross-subsidise non-water…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The components of the funding impact statement templates which will assist the Commerce Commission (the Commission) in enforcing the ring-fencing requirements are only one part of the Commission’s monitoring suite. Individual components of…

Answered

Question 29887 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What guidance, if any, has the Minister issued to water service providers on how to record transfers of funds between water services and non-water services in their funding impact statements, and how will those transfers be monitored to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

No specific guidance has been provided as the requirements are well understood by the council and water organisation staff who will be completing these forms. This was confirmed by my officials when they briefed water service providers on…

Answered

Question 29888 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Minister propose that water services funding impact statements should follow the form of existing Local Government Act 2002 funding impact statements rather than developing a purpose-built framework, and what advice, if any,…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The new funding impact statement templates were based on the existing forms used by councils, making it easier for water service providers to transition to the new requirements. I have not received any advice that this approach would raise…

Answered

Question 29889 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When does the Minister next intend to bring substantive advice on local electoral reform to Cabinet, given that no such work is planned for 2026?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I have not made any decisions yet on when I next might go to Cabinet on electoral reform.

Answered

Question 29890 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When, if at all, did the Minister discuss the future viability of postal voting for local elections with the Minister of Transport or officials responsible for New Zealand Post's deed of service, and what was the outcome of those…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I have not been involved in any discussion on the future viability of postal voting for local elections with the Minister of Transport or officials responsible for New Zealand Post’s deed of service. My…

Answered

Question 29891 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the Local Electoral Act 2001 and Local Electoral Regulations 2001 require amendment to support any council wishing to use booth voting at the 2028 elections, and when does the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I have received preliminary advice on the Local Electoral Act 2001 and Local Electoral Regulations 2001. While amendments could be made, booth voting can be conducted under the current statutory framework.…

Answered

Question 29892 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What specific action, if any, does the Minister intend to take before the 2028 local elections to address voter turnout falling to 39 percent nationally — the lowest since postal voting began in 1989?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I have no specific actions planned at this point. Voter turnout trends can be difficult to identify and there are several factors that can influence low voter turnout.

Answered

Question 29893 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has the Minister received of the additional per-election cost to territorial authorities of running local elections if regional council elections are abolished under the Simplifying Local Government reforms, given…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Any increase in election costs is something that councils will likely consider when they make decisions about how to resource and deliver their 2028 local elections.

Answered

Question 29894 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    When did the Minister decide to abandon his March 2025 direction to officials to transfer responsibility for local elections to the Electoral Commission by 2028, who was consulted before that decision was made, and was Cabinet informed?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I decided in March 2026 that electoral reform was not a priority relative to other priority work in the portfolio to be completed this term. I consulted with Minister of Justice Hon Paul Goldsmith.

Answered

Question 29895 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many councils have, in the current or previous term, established committees in which non-democratically elected members held voting rights and the committee had delegated decision-making authority, and what advice, if any, has the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

On 26 May I received advice that at least 75 of 78 councils have made discretionary appointments of non-democratically elected people to committees under the Local Government Act 2002. As Minister of Local Government, I received the…

Answered

Question 29896 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister release the full text of the redacted portion of paragraph 36 of the Cabinet paper dated 27 May 2026, and if not, under which provision of the Official Information Act 1982 does the Minister intend to withhold it?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The material the member is referring to is being withheld at this time. I refer the member to the paper itself, which notes the specific provision of the OIA under which it is being withheld, 9(2)(g)(i).…

Answered

Question 29897 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What legal advice, if any, did the Minister seek on whether removing voting rights from committee members appointed pursuant to Treaty settlement legislation, or in fulfilment of Treaty obligations, is consistent with the Crown's Treaty…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Any legal advice received by me would be subject to legal privilege.

Answered

Question 29898 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether the removal of voting rights from non-elected committee members affects councils' ability to fulfil their obligations under section 81 of the Local Government Act 2002 to provide…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

As Minister of Local Government, I received the following advice relating to the impact of the proposal to remove voting rights from non-democratically elected members on section 81 obligations in the Local Government Act 2002: • Briefing:…

Answered

Question 29899 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the Minister decide not to consult any iwi, hapū, local authority, or member of the public before bringing the proposal to remove voting rights from non-democratically elected committee members to Cabinet?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Limited consultation was undertaken to allow the proposal to meet timeframes to be included in the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill.

Answered

Question 29900 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why did the date error in the overflows standard — which causes aspects of a standard commencing in 2028 to apply retrospectively from 2025 — not result in an urgent correction being gazetted before the March 2026 amendment process, and…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

An amendment process is underway to ensure that all technical issues identified in the wastewater standards are addressed. The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is actively engaged with impacted parties (councils and consent…

Answered

Question 29901 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on whether businesses or consumers suffered financial harm as a result of disruption to the sale of biosolids products caused by the biosolids drafting errors, and what steps, if any, did the…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I am advised that officials have worked directly with parties who could have been impacted to manage the risk of a disruption in the sale of biosolids products.

Answered

Question 29902 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What legal advice, if any, has the Minister received on the liability of the Crown in respect of resource consents granted or declined during the period when the Regulations contained the drafting errors identified in the March 2026…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Any legal advice received by me would be subject to legal privilege.

Answered

Question 29903 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    For how long did Crown-owned wastewater treatment plants operate outside the intended scope of the discharge to water and land standard as a result of the drafting error that linked the definition of "publicly owned wastewater treatment…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The drafting errors have had no material impact on the current operation of Crown-owned wastewater treatment plants.

Answered

Question 29951 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 22 June 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 memoire, or any other documents from the Department of Internal Affairs during the week beginning 22 June 2026: • Talking Points - Meeting with…

Answered

Question 30056 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 22 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 29726 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Mike Davidson

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Since November 2025, what is the number of Local Government Councillors who have personally written to the Minister with a complaint about non-elected members on Council committees, and if any, what Councils were they elected to and what…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Since November 2025, I have received one item from a member elected to the Far North District Council on 9 April 2026.

Answered

Question 29231 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 15 June 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 Department of Internal Affairs during the week beginning 15 June 2026: • Aide Memoire - Taituarā Local…

Answered

Question 29336 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 15 June 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 29017 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Why, if Taumata Arowai intends to publish its January-March 2026 quarterly performance report on its website when it is completed, does there appear to be no other previous quarterly performance reports available on the Taumata Arowai…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai decided to proactively publish Quarterly Performance Reports on its website, after reviewing its approach to proactive release of information and with the aim of supporting greater transparency…

Answered

28828, 28831, 28835, 28836 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28828 (matches this search)

    What estimate, if any, has the Minister received of the value of council expenditure that may be duplicated or wasted as a result of sequencing local government reorganisation alongside resource management and water services reform?

  • 28831 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the risk that councils will incur expenditure on governance arrangements or service delivery models that later require redesign as a result of reorganisation under the Head Start or…

  • 28835 (matches this search)

    What is the Minister's estimate of the costs councils will incur in implementing a reorganisation proposal approved under the Head Start pathway?

  • 28836 (matches this search)

    What is the Minister's estimate of the costs councils will incur in developing and submitting outline proposals under the Head Start pathway?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

There may be some financial implications for councils seeking to enter the Head Start pathway. To the extent the Head Start is voluntary and reflects the aspirations and preparatory work already under way among relevant councils, this…

Answered

28829, 28839, 28840 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28829 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the risk that water services delivery plans or entities established under Local Water Done Well will require redesign as a result of local government reorganisation?

  • 28839 (matches this search)

    Are water services council-controlled organisations established under Local Water Done Well required to align with the boundaries of any new unitary authorities created under the Head Start pathway, and what advice has the Minister…

  • 28840 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the implications for water services delivery entities established under Local Water Done Well if the boundaries of their member councils change as a result of reorganisation under the Head…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 provides mechanisms for councils to change how water services are delivered over time, including ownership and service arrangements. The Head Start pathway under Simplifying Local Government…

Answered

28830, 28838 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28830 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the risk that first-generation plans prepared under the new planning system will need to be redone if councils are reorganised after the 2028 local elections?

  • 28838 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the implications for regional spatial planning boundaries if local government boundaries change as a result of reorganisation under Simplifying Local Government?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Head Start pathway is designed to support delivery of the new planning system. It gives councils that are ready to move early the confidence to keep implementing the new planning system now, while shaping governance arrangements that…

Answered

Question 28832 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister release any departmental costing of the Head Start pathway and resulting reorganisations; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Head Start proposals are voluntary and locally led. The Department of Internal Affairs has not developed costings of the Head Start pathway as this will be dependent on who submits proposals and which ones the Government agrees to progress.

Answered

28833, 28834 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28833 (matches this search)

    What financial support, if any, will central government provide to councils to meet the costs of implementing approved reorganisation proposals?

  • 28834 (matches this search)

    What financial support, if any, will central government provide to councils to meet the costs of participating in the Head Start process, and in what form?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Head Start pathway is voluntary. The Government does not have any current plans to offer financial assistance to councils to implement Head Start proposals.

Answered

28837, 28843, 28844, 28845 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28837 (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the status and validity of first-generation plans prepared by councils that are subsequently amalgamated or reorganised?

  • 28843 (matches this search)

    What analysis, if any, has the Minister received on the interaction between the new regional spatial planning system and local government reorganisation under the Head Start pathway announced on 5 May 2026?

  • 28844 (matches this search)

    What analysis, if any, has the Minister undertaken or received on the interaction between local government reorganisation under Simplifying Local Government and the new regional spatial planning system?

  • 28845 (matches this search)

    What analysis, if any, has the Minister undertaken or received on the interaction between local government reorganisation under the Head Start pathway and the water services delivery entities established under Local Water Done Well?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Any unitary authorities formed through Head Start must continue with spatial planning at the regional level at the time of enactment of the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill. The Bills, as introduced, allow for subregional plans…

Answered

Question 28841 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister release any cross-government or interdepartmental analysis of how the Simplifying Local Government, Local Water Done Well and resource management reform programmes interact; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry for the Environment are working together closely to ensure that Simplifying Local Government is designed to support delivery of the new planning system—a key criteria for Head Start…

Answered

5 questions (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Questions

Matching question numbers: 28850 (2026)

  • 28846 (matches this search)

    Does the Minister hold any independent or peer-reviewed evidence that larger unitary authorities deliver services at lower cost than current arrangements; if so, what is it?

  • 28847 (matches this search)

    Will the Minister release any analysis he or the Department of Internal Affairs holds on the costs, benefits and risks of local government amalgamation; if not, why not?

  • 28848 (matches this search)

    What analysis, if any, has the Minister received on the financial risks and long-term fiscal implications for communities of amalgamating into new unitary authorities under Simplifying Local Government?

  • 28849 (matches this search)

    Has the Minister received any analysis quantifying the expected savings to ratepayers from local government amalgamation; if so, what level of savings does that analysis identify?

Show the remaining 1 questions
  • 28850 (matches this search)

    What analysis, if any, has the Minister received on the financial costs and savings to ratepayers of amalgamating territorial and/or unitary authorities into new unitary authorities, as contemplated by the Head Start pathway announced on 5…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I have received advice on the increasing costs of preserving the status quo. Council reorganisation is about delivering services more effectively and efficiently, while reducing duplication and strengthening accountability.

Answered

28505, 28656 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Questions

  • Asked by

    Tangi Utikere

    Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

    28505 (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?

  • Asked by

    Lan Pham

    List MP · Green Party

    28656 (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 08/06/2026, 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 advice, reports, briefings, aide memories, or any other documents from the Department of Internal Affairs during the week beginning 8 June 2026: • PM brief – Christchurch – 8…

Answered

Question 28655 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 08/06/2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

Question 28199 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Reuben Davidson

Member for Christchurch East · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister intend that the recently announced amendment to the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill will prevent prevent councils from appointing elected Community Board or Local Board members as voting members on council…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

Community board and local board members are elected members. My intention is that, where they are appointed to a council committee, they should be able to exercise voting rights on that committee.

Answered

Question 28200 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Reuben Davidson

Member for Christchurch East · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Minister intend that the recently announced amendment to the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill will prevent prevent councils from appointing independent commissioners or members as voting members of District Licensing…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

District Licensing Committees are established under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, not the Local Government Act, and are therefore not in scope of the recently announced amendment.

Answered

Question 28288 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Hūhana Lyndon

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many committees, listed by name, were identified by the minister to have non-elected voting members in the Northland Region and of those committees, how many members were identified to be non-elected?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

My officials advise me that the following council committees in the Northland region include non-elected members (number listed in brackets). This list does not include statutory committees (such as a District Licensing Committee or a…

Answered

Question 28370 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

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 Simon Watts

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

Answer

None.

Answered

28375, 28377 (2026)

Questions published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 28375 (matches this search)

    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…

  • 28377 (matches this search)

    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 Simon Watts

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

Answer

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority) has conflicts of interest management plans in place for the Board Chair and a Māori Advisory Group member. These plans relate to perceived or potential conflicts declared on a…

Answered

Question 28005 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Following Reply 20574 (2026), what "policy design work" is associated with the New Zealand Flood Map?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

The reference to policy design work for the New Zealand Flood map in Reply 20574 (2026) relates to, for example, the project scope, design, and implementation that sit outside the contracting process.

Answered

Question 28109 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    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…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

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

Answer

I refer the member to the attached document.