Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 1 to 50 of 725 written question sets.
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What benefits, if any, have been affected by processing delays at the Ministry of Social Development, broken down by outcome and benefit type?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Has the Ministry reviewed Jobseeker Support and Sole Parent Support cases that were excluded from its analysis of 51,000 client files; if not, why not?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What was the longest period for which an affected recipient’s main benefit payment was suspended because of processing delays?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
For how many days, on average, were affected recipients without their main benefit payments, during the period covered by the Ministry of Social Development's review, broken down by benefit type?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many Sole Parent Support recipients, if any, had their payments suspended because of processing delays during period covered by the Ministry of Social Development’s review?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many Jobseeker Support recipients, if any, had their payments suspended because of processing delays during the period covered by the Ministry of Social Development’s review?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many staff members, if any, were deployed to address the backlog in processing applications or reviews for supplementary assistance at the Ministry of Social Development?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many supported living payment recipients, if any, affected by the MSD processing delays, have cancer?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How many beneficiaries, if any, affected by the MSD processing delays had health conditions, broken down by health condition type?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many people were not paid either supplementary assistance or a main benefit as a result of the delays caused by the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many people were incorrectly not paid a Winter Energy Payment in every region of New Zealand; broken down by region?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Did the issues relating to the Winter Energy Payment being withheld incorrectly for veterans and pensioners, and the Ministry of Social Development and Employment being unable to keep up with the responses of people confirming their…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Ministry of Social Development and Employment experienced processing delays in the past year which led to people receiving the Jobseeker Benefit not receiving their benefit on time; if so, to how many beneficiaries did this occur?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Has the Ministry of Social Development and Employment experienced processing delays in the past year which led to people receiving the Jobseeker Benefit not receiving their benefit on time; if so, how many times has this occurred?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What reports, if any, on elder abuse has been released since 27 November 2023 under MSD's Family Violence and Sexual Violence Work Programme, listed by title and date?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which community partners involved in the Ethnic Communities Violence Prevention programme, if any, were consulted in developing the final version of the Community Mobilisation Toolkit for ethnic communities, and what are the names of all…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What reports, if any, are there on the Community Mobilisation Toolkit for ethnic communities and if so, will it be released and when?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What evaluations, if any, are there on the Community Mobilisation Toolkit for ethnic communities and if so, will it be released and when?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister seek advice or briefing on the possible impact of being hungry, into debt, or homeless of sick, injured, or disabled New Zealanders who lost their main source of income due to cancellations or suspensions of their…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
No. I expected the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) to undertake a review to understand how the Winter Energy Payment issue occurred, why it was not detected and addressed earlier, and how many people were affected. I also…
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did the minister's office first receive correspondence from any Member of Parliament alerting her that welfare recipients were experiencing cancellations or suspensions to supplementary assistance due to Ministry of Social Development…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
As Minister for Social Development and Employment, operational matters received through my office are referred to the Ministry of Social Development. This is particularly the case where correspondence relates to individual matters. The…
Asked by
Ricardo Menéndez March
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did the minister's office first receive correspondence from welfare recipients alerting her that people were experiencing cancellations or suspensions to supplementary assistance due to Ministry of Social Development processing delays, and…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
As Minister for Social Development and Employment, operational matters received through my office are referred to the Ministry of Social Development. This is particularly the case where correspondence relates to individual matters. The…
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What funding, if any, has been provided to address elder abuse, through prevention initiatives, or related programmes since 27 Nov 2023?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that Budget 2022 invested $6.325 million over three years into developing and implementing the Prevention of Abuse of Older People (AOP) work programme. The Ministry also…
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What work, if any, is the Ministry of Social Development currently undertaking under family violence and sexual violence prevention work programmes to address elder abuse, including evidence gathered through Te Aorerekura – National…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Minstry) that a key initiative to understand and address elder abuse was the Prevention of Abuse of Older People (AOP) work programme. This was a time-limited initiative that focused…
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Which expert individuals, if any, were consulted in developing the final version of the Community Mobilisation Toolkit for ethnic communities, by names?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development that the development of toolkit included review and feedback from community partners, community experts and government specialists with relevant prevention experience and knowledge, and…
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How, if at all, does the Community Mobilisation Toolkit align with Te Aorerekura’s prevention objectives, and what specific actions or outcomes are expected from its use in ethnic communities?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development that the Community Mobilisation Toolkit aligns closely with the prevention objectives of Te Aorerekura – National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence and supports…
Asked by
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What support, if any, is available to ethnic community organisations to implement the Community Mobilisation Toolkit, including any funding, capability-building, or training offered?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that the Community Mobilisation Toolkit is intended to be implemented through existing relationships between the Ministry, violence prevention partners and ethnically…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What, if any, is the estimated average change in Accommodation Supplement entitlement as Te Toi Mahana tenants progressively assume the Housing Upgrade Programme-related rent increase?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) is unable to provide the information sought by the Member within a written parliamentary question timeframe as it would take substantial effort and require the Ministry to…
Asked by
Arena Williams
Member for Manurewa · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What analysis, if any, has the Government undertaken of how the proposed Te Toi Mahana rent increases will affect tenants’ Accommodation Supplement entitlements?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) has not completed any specific analysis relating to Te Toi Mahana. When landlords/housing providers increase rents, the Ministry will review a client’s entitlements when…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social Development…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
None.
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 7 September 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
With the exception of Cabinet Appointments and Honours (APH) papers and minutes, all Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes must be proactively released and published online within 30 business days of final decisions being taken…
Asked by
Chlöe Swarbrick
Member for Auckland Central · Green Party
How many New Zealanders, if any, who are considered seriously injured, sick or disabled who were identified by Ministry of Social Development to have had their benefit wrongly suspended, have now received back payment for the period they…
How many New Zealanders, if any, who are considered seriously injured, sick or disabled were identified by the Ministry of Social Development to have had their benefit wrongly suspended?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that out of the 2,460 clients on main benefit affected by the processing delays, 2,349 clients were receiving Supported Living Payment. The Ministry acted quickly to make…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
How many case managers were there at the Ministry of Social Development and Employment on November 23rd 2023; and how many are there on September 9th 2026?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that as at 23 November 2023, the Ministry of Social Development had 2,460.4 FTE with the position title of Case Manager. As at 9 September 2026 the Ministry had 2,619.7 FTE…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
Has there been a reduction in the amount of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) directly employed by the Ministry of Social Development and Employment since November 23rd 2023; if so, where have these reductions been made, by internal department…
What was the amount of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) directly employed by the Ministry of Social Development and Employment on November 23rd 2023; and what is the amount on September 9th 2026?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that as at 23 November 2023 the Ministry of Social Development had 9,502.9 FTE (permanent and fixed term), compared to 9,360.4 FTE (permanent and fixed term) as at 9…
Asked by
Francisco Hernandez
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
When, if ever, was the last time that Temporary Additional Support payment rates were reviewed in relation to housing costs?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
Temporary Additional Support (TAS) is calculated using a formula that uses net main benefit or the rate of New Zealand Superannuation (NZS)/Veterans Pension (VP) to calculate a client’s entitlement. These rates are used to calculate: -…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
In my capacity as Minister for Social Development and Employment, I regularly request and receive advice on a range of topics. In the interest of transparency, a list of reports received by my office from the Ministry of Social Development…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Penny Simmonds
Member for Invercargill · National Party · Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment
None.
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 31 August 2026, by title and date?
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
With the exception of Cabinet Appointments and Honours (APH) papers and minutes, all Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes must be proactively released and published online within 30 business days of final decisions being taken…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Are Ministry of Social Development case workers or call centre workers recommended to ask potential Ministry of Social Development clients whether they have access to a credit card prior to determining their suitability to receive support…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
Corrected reply: I refer the Member to reply number 39301 (2026)
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Are Ministry of Social Development case workers or call centre workers required to ask potential Ministry of Social Development clients whether they have access to loans or other credit prior to determining their suitability to receive…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
Corrected reply: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that an applicant’s access to loans, credit cards, or overdraft facilities is not relevant when determining eligibility for a main benefit. In determining…
Asked by
Willow-Jean Prime
List MP · Labour Party
(matches this search)
Are Ministry of Social Development case workers or call centre workers required to ask potential Ministry of Social Development clients whether they have access to a credit card prior to determining their suitability to receive support…
Answered by
Hon Louise Upston
Member for Taupō · National Party · Minister for Social Development and Employment
Corrected reply: I refer the Member to reply number 39301 (2026)