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 Auckland
Question published between

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

Showing 1 to 50 of 106 written question sets.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 7 September 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 31 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (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 Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 24 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 17 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 10 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Lemauga Lydia Sosene

Member for Māngere · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

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

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What correspondence, if any, including letters, emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages, Signal messages, or any other form of written or electronic communication, has the Minister or any member of the Minister’s office sent or received…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 3 August 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 3 August 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 27 July 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 27 July 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, is budgeted to be spent in the 2026/27 financial year in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on consultants who advise on public sector…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What public engagement surveys, if any, are planned or currently underway regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How much, if any, has been spent in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on consultants who advise on public sector reform management or similar, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What public engagement surveys, if any, have been completed regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What procurement process, if any, was used for purchasing artificial intelligence tools, if any, currently being used within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What automated approvals, if any, are currently operating within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What algorithm impact assessments, if any, have been done in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

As the Minister for Auckland, I am not responsible for any departments, entities, ministries, or agencies.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 19 July 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 19 July 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 6 July 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 6 July 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

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

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Barbara Edmonds

Member for Mana · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer that member to the Minister for Economic Growth's answer to 30919 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What aides-mémoire, briefings, memos, notes, reports, or any other advice, if any, has the Minister or their Office received during the week beginning 29 June 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026)

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

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

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has any staff member in the Minister’s office used a private email account to send or receive official information since the Government took office; if so, on how many occasions since 27 November 2023?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

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 –…

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What official information, if any, is held on a private email account of a current or former staff member in the Minister’s office and has not been placed on the official record since 27 November 2023; and what steps are being taken to…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Will the Minister undertake a review of current and former staff members’ private email accounts to identify any official information that should be on the public record; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I have reaffirmed to staff my expectation that official information is maintained in the public record and asked them to ensure this remains the case.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Minister or any staff member in their office received a briefing, document, or correspondence from a company, lobbyist, or other third party at a private email account that hasn't then been forwarded to an official email account or…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

No.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 25 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 25 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 11 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 11 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · 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 18 May 2026, listed by agency, title and date received?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

I refer the Member to reply number 19279 (2026).

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 18 May 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

None.

Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Carmel Sepuloni

Member for Kelston · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does he agree with Simeon Brown that “I want to applaud Howick Ward Councillors Bo Burns and Maurice Williamson for voting to reduce the rates increase, alongside the five other councillors who bravely voted against the Mayor and in…

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister for Auckland

Answer

Yes