Parliament - Live Stream and Question Time

Questions to 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 his Government's statements and actions? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Finance: What are the elements of New Zealand's public finance system? MARK CAMERON to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What recent reports has he seen about the welfare of farm animals in Southland? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "On this side of the House, we take economic management extremely seriously"; if so, do her decisions to date reflect this? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about supporting the teaching of maths? MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his commitment that if Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee brings an option to Cabinet that proposes to scrap the firearms registry then he will block it; if not, why not? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to reduce the number of victims of crime? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Would the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2024) require councils to raise speed limits even where it may increase the risk of severe injury and death? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement, "That is why we are prioritising disabled people, their families, and carers"; if so, why? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Corrections: How is the Department of Corrections delivering on his priorities?

Questions to Ministers DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the Government's financial position? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister for Regional Development: What announcements has he made about regional development? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What announcements has he made regarding reform of the Resource Management Act 1991? 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 his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement on 1 July 2024, "You'll find out about the ferries once Ministers have made decisions. And I expect that will be within the quarter"; if so, can we expect an announcement within the next five days? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister of Education: How have the Government's plans to introduce structured literacy next year progressed? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: When, if at all, will he take action to fix the electricity market and ensure a rapid and effective transition to a fully renewable electricity system? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister for Mental Health: How is Health New Zealand delivering on the Government's priority to grow the mental health and addiction workforce? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Prime Minister: Does he agree that his commitment to support the Treaty Principles Bill through to select committee is a reasonable and responsible action for a Prime Minister of a country? Dr TRACEY McLELLAN to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his answer to written question No. 39136 (2024) that "the practical completion date for the Whakatuputupu - New Dunedin Hospital Outpatients Building project is anticipated for July 2026, and that the practical completion date for the Whakatuputupu - New Dunedin Hospital Inpatients Building is anticipated for November 2029"; if not, why not?

Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? NANCY LU to the Minister for the Public Service: What recent announcements has she made on Public Service working arrangements? MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "We are focused on supporting our economy to grow"; if so, how much has GDP per capita changed since she took office? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Health: What actions has the Government taken to restrict the sale and use of nitrous oxide for recreational use? 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 his Government's statements and actions? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Are negotiations for the exit of the contract with Hyundai for new Interislander ferries still ongoing; if so, when can New Zealanders expect an announcement from the Government on replacement ferries? LAURA TRASK to the Associate Minister of Education: What recent announcements has he made in relation to charter schools? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister of Police: How are Police delivering on his priorities of disrupting gangs and organised crime and strengthening policing in our communities? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she agree with Christopher Luxon, who said modern slavery is an issue for which he would "march in the streets"; if so, how does she reconcile this with the disbanding of the Modern Slavery Leadership Advisory Group? GREG FLEMING to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent updates has he received regarding the Government's target to reduce households in emergency housing by 75 percent by 2030? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: Does she agree that Oranga Tamariki has a role to play in preventing abuse and harm before tamariki and rangatahi enter care; if so, how does she reconcile this with cutting $18 million to Oranga Tamariki prevention-focused contracted services?

Questions to Ministers MARK CAMERON to the Minister for Biosecurity: What recent reports has he seen about the value of New Zealand's robust biosecurity system? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Ka takahuri noa tana ture whakatau pae tere (2024), e whakaarohia nei, i nga whakahekenga pae tere anake "where it is safe to do so"? Will his proposed setting of speed limits rule (2024) only reverse speed limit reductions "where it is safe to do so"? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP to the Minister of Justice: E tautoko tonu ana ia i ana korero me ana mahi katoa? Does he stand by all his statements and actions? CARL BATES to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "We are focused on supporting our economy to grow"; if so, how much has the economy grown since she took office? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to restore law and order? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: E tautoko ana ia i tana korero "one of the challenges that they clearly talked to me about-that I agree with in terms of removing the minimum wage exemption-is the fact that a group of New Zealanders, who have significant challenges and would clearly produce less in an hour than someone else, may well be shut out of employment"; mena ae, ka pehea ta te awhinatanga utu, te hoatu tapiritanga nei ki nga kaituku mahi, e arahi ki te korenga mahi ma nga tangata? Does she stand by her statement that "one of the challenges that they clearly talked to me about-that I agree with in terms of removing the minimum wage exemption-is the fact that a group of New Zealanders, who have significant challenges and would clearly produce less in an hour than someone else, may well be shut out of employment"; if so, how would a wage supplement that would provide a top-up to employers lead to shutting people out of employment? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Did he receive reports from Police on the Comancheros or any other gangs and their associates using gun ranges to practise their shooting skills; if so, what did Police report? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister for Women: How is the Government seeking to improve the lives of New Zealand women and girls? Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does the Government believe that the Israeli deadly sabotage by remotely detonated communication devices in Lebanon was wrong; if so, is this more evidence that his Government should recognise Palestine without further delay in support of rules-based order so that a wider war in the Middle East can be avoided? KATIE NIMON to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcements has he made regarding the rollout of a school-based mental wellbeing programme in the Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti region?

Questions to Ministers STUART SMITH to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the cost of living? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his 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 his Government's statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to reduce harm caused by gangs and to make communities safer? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his decision to appoint a Health New Zealand commissioner, and does he stand by his commitment not to cut front-line services at Health New Zealand? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister of Police: How many members of the Comancheros motorcycle gang are facing charges following recent Police operations? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: E tautoko ana ia i tana ki taurangi ki te whakatika i te Ture Takutai Moana 2011; mena ae, he aha tana whakaritenga ki te whakautu ki te Urgent Inquiry Stage 1 Report Takutai Moana Act 2011 na te Taraipiunara o Waitangi? Does he stand by his commitment to amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act 2011; if so, what is his plan to respond to the Waitangi Tribunal's Takutai Moana Act 2011 Urgent Inquiry Stage 1 Report? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: What advice, if any, has he received on gang members either getting unlawful access to firearms or using shooting ranges? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made regarding company director identification? Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Justice: Does he stand by all his statements and actions in respect of the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill and the bills into which it has been divided? JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Minister for Resources: What announcements has he made regarding critical minerals? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister of Revenue: Does he stand by his statement that Inland Revenue will "deliver on the real priorities for our tax system"; if so, does he support all their work?

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: E whakapono ana ia kei te hapai tenei Kawanatanga i ona herenga me ana mahi ki te iwi Maori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi? Does he believe this Government is upholding its obligations and duties to Maori under te Tiriti o Waitangi? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made about support for families? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement she would "make good economic decisions so people can actually see better prospects in New Zealand, that's essentially our mission"; if so, why have a new record of net 55,800 Kiwis moved overseas in the year ended July 2024? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister of Education: What recent changes has she made to increase the number of relief teachers available in school classrooms? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What changes has she recently announced about improving certainty for those in contracting relationships? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement, "Kiwis ought to feel safe going about their daily lives, and that is why this Government is focused on restoring law and order, and putting victims first"; if so, why? PAULO GARCIA to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to ensure criminals face real consequences for crime? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko tonu ana ia i ana korero me ana mahi katoa? Does he stand by all his statements and actions? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Police: What "promising results" has he seen on the Government's plan to restore law and order? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Will his changes to the rules for Buy Now Pay Later make things worse for the one in five New Zealand users who forgo essential spending such as paying bills or buying food to pay off these purchases? HUHANA LYNDON to the Minister for Maori Development: Kei te whakaae ia ki te Tumuaki o Whakaata Maori kua ki nei ko nga panonitanga putea mo Whakaata Maori i hua mai i nga "kaupapa here Kawanatanga e huri haere ana"; mena ae, kei te tau ia ki te whakaaro ko nga hua o aua kaupapa here kia huri te hongere reo Maori ki te ipurangi anake, me te whakawhaiti i te haumitanga ki nga kaupapa Maori? Does he agree with the chief executive of Whakaata Maori, who said the funding changes for Whakaata Maori were the result of "shifting government policies"; if so, is he comfortable that Government policies are resulting in the Te Reo television channel becoming online-only and reduced investment in Maori content?

Questions to Ministers CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made about delivering the healthcare New Zealanders need? TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by the $1.4 billion in cuts to the health system, when extended wait times in Emergency Departments have led to a patient death? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Associate Minister of Justice: Does she agree with the Prime Minister's comment, "What I would say is that no decisions have been made about semi-automatic weapons. We're going to be focused on public safety, and those conversations are still to happen"; if so, why? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about driving structured literacy in schools? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement, "That is why we are prioritising disabled people, their families, and carers"; if so, how can she justify a funding freeze for residential care facilities? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Justice: What actions is the Government taking to reduce harm caused by gangs and to make communities safer? SIMON COURT to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What recent announcements has she made on passport wait times? Hon PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does she stand by her statement to the Education and Workforce Committee that work on the Parent Visa Boost will not start before 2025?

TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister of Finance: What is the Government's revenue strategy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? KATIE NIMON to the Minister for Infrastructure: What recent announcements has he made on actions to improve New Zealand's infrastructure system? TANYA UNKOVICH to the Minister of Customs: What updates does she have about recent drug seizures at the border? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What will it cost to upgrade port facilities for Interislander ferries, and who will pay, given her comment that "It will, of course, cost something to upgrade port facilities"? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: How many public transport improvement projects that were bid for by regional and local councils were funded in the National Land Transport Programme 2024-27 and how many did not receive funding? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Associate Minister of Justice: Does he agree with all of the Government's statements and actions in respect of the Treaty Principles Bill; if so, why? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Associate Minister of Justice: Does she agree with the Ministry of Justice's advice that her proposal to change the regulations on gun clubs and shooting ranges "increases safety risks to range users and members of the public"; if not, why not? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister of Transport: How is the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport delivering for New Zealanders? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by all his statements and actions in relation to the recent announcement of the National Land Transport Programme? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Corrections: What consultation, if any, did he undertake with Maori before the Government decided the Treaty provisions should be removed from the Corrections Amendment Bill, and is he concerned that this decision will increase the overrepresentation of Maori within our prisons?

Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, "Our Government will not tolerate people who accept the Jobseeker Support benefit but refuse to uphold their obligation to seek a job - it is not fair on hardworking Kiwis who pay their taxes that go towards those benefit payments"; if not, why not? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Health: What actions has the Government taken to improve the lives of New Zealanders, and their families, who are impacted by cancer? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement that he doesn't "think there is systemic bias in the police at all"; if so, how does he explain findings released by the Police that being Maori makes you 11 percent more likely to be prosecuted compared to Pakeha for the same offence? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How are her employment policies going to support New Zealanders in to work, given that the Reserve Bank's August Monetary Policy Statement predicts that unemployment will rise to 5.4 percent? MARK CAMERON to the Associate Minister for the Environment: What recent announcements has he made relating to significant natural areas? JAMES MEAGER to the Minister of Police: By how much have Police foot patrols increased under this Government? LAN PHAM to the Minister for the Environment: Does she stand by her statement that "It's getting that balance between the actions that we take, and environmental protection ... we consider that the balance had swung too far towards environmental protection at the cost of not being able to get things done"? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: Does she stand by her statement that Te Pukenga is a "financial mess, drowning in debt of over $250 million"; if so, why? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister of Forestry: What action has the Government taken in respect of forestry and the clean-up of the East Coast? CUSHLA TANGAERE-MANUEL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that there is a health "workforce crisis"; if so, how does he respond to senior medical officers of Tairawhiti, who have said, "Recent national directives setting recruitment restrictions and hospital budget cuts make our situation even worse"? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister of Revenue: What announcements has he made on tax? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Maori Development: Is it acceptable that Whakaata Maori has not had an increase in baseline funding since 2008?

Questions to Ministers DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister for the Public Service: What recent reports has she seen about public sector pay increases? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Health: What progress has been made in lifting immunisation rates for New Zealanders, particularly high-needs communities? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she agree with Nicola Willis, who, prior to the 2023 election, said, "For many people, things feel so bleak that they are looking at opportunities overseas and voting with their feet, with almost 40,000 Kiwis permanently leaving the country last year"; if so, why did 80,000 Kiwis move overseas in the year up to June 2024? LAURA TRASK to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What recent announcements has she made about phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent changes has she made to support people on the jobseeker benefit into work? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his response to being asked what is the biggest thing he's done since he took office, "Oh, I think probably, the letter of expectation that I put out there for the commissioner"; if so, why? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she believe employees are ever wrongly categorised as contractors; if so, what remedy do they have to change their employment status? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on speed limits in Christchurch? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Associate Minister of Health: Does she stand by her statement to Radio New Zealand that "The document you have referred to was not generated or collated by any members of my office, was not left on my desk by any member of my office, and was only received as a hard copy on 6 December 2023"; if so, was the document received by her directly or another member of her office?