Oral Questions for Thursday 21 November 2024

Questions to Ministers MILES ANDERSON to the Minister for Infrastructure: What recent announcements has he made on the National Infrastructure Plan? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Minister for Regional Development: What announcements has he made about regional summits? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions: What are the responsibilities and duties of the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has he seen about Police? LAN PHAM to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What advice did he provide to the Minister of Conservation about the decision to allow specific companies to commercially fish in high protection areas? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement, "We've seen our police officers having to deal with more and more firearms related incidents, and we've got to do something about that. And we can't be a country that just accepts that's the way it's going to be"; if so, why? MARK CAMERON to the Minister for Biosecurity: What recent announcements has he made about preparing for avian influenza? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her answers to oral question No. 5 on 20 November? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcement has the Government recently made about combatting scams? INGRID LEARY to the Minister for Seniors: Does she stand by her commitment to "improving the lives of older New Zealanders"; if so, why? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions: Does she stand by her statement that the Government will ensure the Crown response to the royal commission's report is "well considered, coherent, and comprehensive"?

00:46:45

Oral Questions for 20 November 2024

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Will she commit to retaining strategic partnerships with iwi and Maori organisations, as recommended in the select committee report on the repeal of section 7AA; if not, why not? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "we had set a very clear plan that it will allow the books to return to an OBEGAL surplus in 2027/28"; if so, is she committed to reaching an OBEGAL surplus no matter the cost? STUART SMITH to the Minister of Finance: What information has she recently released to improve agencies' accountability for Government investments? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister of Education: Does she agree with National MP Erica Stanford, who, in May 2023, said, "The public and school bus systems are failing us. Every day buses are canceled leaving people stranded. Kids are being left behind when trying to get to school"; if so, why are school bus routes to close up and down the country? TODD STEPHENSON to the Minister for Regulation: What recent announcements has he made? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to reduce harm caused by gangs and to make communities safer? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions: Does she accept the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care's findings, including that one of the contributing factors to neglect and abuse in care was the lack of legislation specific to care settings that gave effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi; if not, why not? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Police: What new tools will Police have from tomorrow to crack down on gangs? Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Justice: Is he confident that the Human Rights Commission is politically independent; if so, why? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister for Trade: What actions has the Government taken to grow New Zealand's economy and increase farm-gate returns for farmers and growers? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions?

01:01:07

Oral Questions for Tuesday 19 November 2024

Questions to Ministers TAMATHA PAUL to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Associate Minister of Justice: What recent announcements has he seen regarding the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has the Government made about improving capital infrastructure investment? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "We know that to be successful in driving growth we need you and your colleagues in the business community on board"; if so, is the business community on board with the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill? GREG FLEMING to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about contactless payments on Auckland's public transport network? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: How does he assess the impact of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill on the Crown's ability to honour its Treaty obligations with Treaty settlements that have been completed, particularly regarding partnership, protection, and participation? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her absolute commitment to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support Maori-Crown relationships, as set out in the purpose of the Education and Training Act 2020; if so, how? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Police: What recent announcements has he made about crime statistics? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by his answer to oral question No. 11 on 7 November 2024 that "There are a number of matters that ... have strengthened the Maori-Crown relationship"; if not, why not? NANCY LU to the Minister for Trade: What recent actions has the Government taken to boost New Zealand's economy? Dr LAWRENCE XU-NAN to the Minister of Education: E tautoko ana ia i ana korero me ana mahi katoa? Does she stand by all of her statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions?

00:43:57

Oral Questions for Thursday 14 November 2024

Questions to Ministers CARL BATES to the Minister for Social Investment: What recent reports has she seen on progress in social investment? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all the Government's statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on the Kapiti Expressway speed limit? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he stand by his statement, "Te Tiriti o Waitangi is foundational for our country"; if not, why not? KATIE NIMON to the Associate Minister of Transport: What recent announcement has the Government made regarding funding support to strengthen front-line volunteer service organisations? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: What recent steps has the Government taken to improve payment times for small businesses? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by his answer to oral question No. 11 on 7 November 2024 that "There are a number of matters that have strengthened the Maori-Crown relationship"; if so, why? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he consider that the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill threatens the continued existence of the Maori-Crown relationship? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Justice: Does he have confidence that the Government is upholding the rule of law and Aotearoa's constitutional arrangements? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Is she committed to the purpose of the Education and Training Act 2020 that establishes and regulates an education system that "honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Maori-Crown relationships"; if so, how? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister for Land Information: What announcements has the Government made on removing roadblocks to building infrastructure?

00:52:15

Oral Questions for Wednesday 13 November 2024

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Associate Minister of Justice: What recent statements has he seen about the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she agree with Opposition leader Christopher Luxon, who said, "I can tell you we're going to be straight with the New Zealand people, tell it as it is - the good, the bad and the ugly"; if so, why has the weekly reporting of income support and hardship figures stopped? MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to the Royal Commission's Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions: Does she agree with the Whanaketia report that "The State failed to address the ongoing systemic impacts of colonisation that contributed to Maori being taken into care, in which Maori experienced abuse and neglect. This includes recognising the inherent mana motuhake of iwi and hapu, structural reform that would have enabled Maori to exercise rangatiratanga and mana motuhake"? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Does she accept that the State's failures "to consider or recognise an ao Maori ... view, tikanga, te reo and matauranga Maori" were circumstances that led to abuse; if so, is she confident that the proposal to repeal section 7AA is not a continuation of this? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: Does he stand by his reported statement that previous National Governments had made good progress on Treaty settlements, and they hoped to restore some of that momentum; if not, why not? JAMES MEAGER to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to reduce the number of victims of crime? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister for Children: Does she accept advice from officials that "New Zealand and international evidence indicates military academies have limited effectiveness in reducing offending"; if not, what evidence can she name that supports her approach to youth justice? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: How many Te Whatu Ora staff members have now expressed interest in accepting the voluntary redundancy first offered in August, and how many, if any, have had their request approved despite their local manager recommending against accepting it? PAULO GARCIA to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made about emergency housing? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Te Ahu o te Reo Maori; if so, why?

01:01:30

Oral Questions for Thursday 7 November 2024

Questions to Ministers JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: How does the result of the recent US election affect New Zealand? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Finance: What advice, if any, did she receive on the potential impact on the cost of moving freight by rail between the North Island and South Island before announcing the cancellation of the order for rail-enabled ferries? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the Government's fiscal position? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Child Poverty Reduction: What policies of this Government, if any, risk increasing material hardship and child poverty? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Associate Minister of Health: Does she stand by her statement that "Once my office was fully staffed, operational issues regarding management of information was remedied"; if so, how was she unaware until yesterday that she never released an unredacted version of the document to the requestor? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made about improving access to breast cancer screening for New Zealand women? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Associate Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that "I'm not worried that some are now homeless" regarding people who have left emergency housing; if so, why? TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has he seen on the policing of gangs? LAURA TRASK to the Associate Minister of Justice: What recent reports, if any, has she seen in relation to anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing regulations? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by all the Government's statements and actions? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made about conservation matters?

00:58:28

Oral Questions for Wednesday 6 November 2024

Questions to Ministers RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on the State Highway 1 Wellington improvements road of national significance? TEANAU TUIONO to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that "The Treaty is our past, present and future. It has shaped the country we have become, and the obligations it imposes on both sides will always be with us"; if so, why is he supporting a bill that the Waitangi Tribunal findings state, "If the Bill remained on the statute book for a considerable time or was never repealed, it could mean the end of the Treaty/te Tiriti"? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement that "it is a priority to support New Zealanders into work"; if so, how many additional people have become unemployed since she took office? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Education: What further update can she provide about her Make it Count action plan? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Associate Minister of Health: Does he agree with Dr Shane Reti when he said, "We are sending out a signal to the people with myeloma and the people with leukaemia, we understand, we haven't forgotten you"; if so, what actions has he taken to deliver on that following receipt of the Cancer Control Agency's report, Understanding Blood Cancer Medicine Availability in Aotearoa New Zealand? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he seen about new funding for medicines in New Zealand? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by the statement in his 20 September 2024 letter to the chair of the Regulations Review Committee regarding the Arms (Shooting Clubs-Content of Annual Reports) Amendment Regulations 2024, "I am comfortable that this technical change would not have negatively impacted public safety", and does he heed Police advice on public safety? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Health: Is he concerned about the impacts of poor access to dental care, as outlined in this week's report from Dental for All; if so, what steps, if any, is he taking to reduce the cost of dental care? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Building and Construction: What recent announcements has the Government made about building and construction?

01:11:13

Oral Questions for 5 November 2024

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister for Children: Will private for-profit organisations be able to run military-style academies and use force against young people? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement that FamilyBoost "will make a difference to more than 100,000 Kiwi families"; if so, why have fewer than half of that number actually received it so far? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister of Education: What update can she provide about her Make it Count action plan? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Associate Minister of Health: Does she stand by all of her statements and actions regarding her release of official information? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Is she concerned that rangatahi in care and protection residences have not been given access to the basics, like healthcare, education, and freedom from violence, as Mana Mokopuna identified happening at Epuni? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent reports has she seen on the time spent by people on welfare? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by her statement that "this military-style academy has nothing to do with the boot camps of the past, which were absolutely horrendous"; if so, does she support giving third-party military-style academy providers the power to use force against young people? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister for Trade: What actions has the Government taken to support trade with the Middle East? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and actions? Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Justice: Does he consider that all of the appointments he has made or recommended are suitably qualified and appropriately politically neutral?

00:56:28

Oral Questions for Thursday 24 October 2024

Questions to Ministers TAMATHA PAUL to the Acting Prime Minister: What commitments, if any, will the Government make to ensuring the 44 recommendations from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques continue to be implemented? LAURA TRASK to the Associate Minister of Justice: What changes has she announced to reform the anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism system? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: Is the complainant worker who he called a loser correct that the Minister had a total of three interactions with him; if not, how many interactions did he have? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Will her money management sanction leave people financially worse off; if so, how is money management a "non-financial sanction"? JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Does he agree with the Prime Minister when he said offshore wind and seabed mining companies in Taranaki "need to get together and work out how they can co-exist"? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on FamilyBoost? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Development: Is he committed to a meaningful solution to Ihumatao; if not, why not? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Justice: How is the Government progressing with its plan to restore stronger consequences for crime? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Associate Minister of Education: Does he agree with ACT leader David Seymour, who said the free school lunches programme was "wasteful" and urged National to abandon the programme; if so, are his recent changes setting it up to fail? RIMA NAKHLE to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent reports has he received regarding the Government's target to reduce households in emergency housing by 75 percent by 2030? INGRID LEARY to the Minister for Mental Health: Does he stand by his statement that Police changes to 111 calls for mental health crisis situations coming in next week is using a "careful and measured approach ... to ensure the transition is planned and managed safely", and is he satisfied it won't compromise the safety of first responders and mental health workers?

01:04:42

Oral Questions for 23 October 2024

Questions to Ministers DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on Government finances? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcement has she made regarding funding for Hato Hone St John? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement that "Parties on this side of the House are backing the workers"; if so, how does the growing number of unemployed people reflect this? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcement has she made about supporting high-skilled migrants and their families? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that there is a "workforce crisis" in the health sector; if so, what is he doing to stop doctors being tied up in paperwork as Health NZ cuts administration and advisory staff? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the Bay of Plenty district commander's message to gangs yesterday that police "will find you and you will be held accountable for your destructive behaviour"; if so, why? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she agree with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions that "This is the most anti-worker government that we've seen in decades"; if not, why not? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Minister of Police: Is he confident that bias and structural racism in the police force, as was found in the Understanding Policing Delivery report, has no influence on the conduct of police during raids in Maori communities, such as the raids in Opotiki yesterday? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: Does he stand by his answer to oral question No. 6 yesterday? LAN PHAM to the Minister for the Environment: Does she stand by her comment in the committee of the whole House yesterday that "I made it very explicit that this Government wants to see improvements in freshwater over time and that our Resource Management Act work will be towards that"?

01:00:33