Parliament - Live Stream and Question Time

Questions to Ministers NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that "I acknowledge that a number of New Zealanders are facing a cost of living crisis"; if so, will his Budget include income tax reduction for New Zealanders who do not qualify for any Government benefit or Working for Families payments? Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she believe too many New Zealanders are dependent on jobseeker support; if not, why not? GLEN BENNETT to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What is the Government doing to enable development of offshore renewable energy in New Zealand? MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Health: Does he agree with the Mental Health and Well-being Commission's monitoring report finding that "improvements in services have not materialised as we had hoped for over this time", and what is his response to the article in New Zealand Doctor that says, "the $1.9 billion Wellbeing Budget touted as a game-changer, the Government has done little or nothing for mental wellbeing"? PAUL EAGLE to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements have been made relating to changes to the COVID-19 Protection Framework? SIMON COURT to the Minister of Local Government: Does she stand by her statement that "Maori have not expressed rights and interests in three waters assets over and above those as ratepayers within their respective communities of interest"; if so, what justification is there to apply a co-governance model to three waters entities? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Transport: What recent progress has been made to improve transport links in the Wellington region? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: Does he have confidence that the Government is not increasing the cost of vehicles for New Zealanders; if so, why? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Immigration: Does he agree that disabled migrants are discriminated against by the acceptable standard of health criteria in immigration policy; if so, will he commit to an immigration system that upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? NAISI CHEN to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has he made regarding updates to responsible lending rules? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement "the reality is that this Government has never been more active in targeting the gangs and criminal leaders and getting them off the streets"; if so, how does she reconcile that statement with the over 40 percent increase in gang membership since October 2017?

Questions to Ministers: BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Is he concerned about the safety of at-risk communities following the announcement that protections under the COVID-19 traffic light system have changed and will change further? TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What changes to income support come into effect on 1 April? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? MARJA LUBECK to the Associate Minister of Education: What work is the Government progressing to lift student achievement in maths and literacy? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ASB's assessments that "higher consumer prices and debt servicing costs could raise household weekly outgoings by an average of around $150 per week over 2022" with income growth unlikely to keep pace? GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Transport: What recent steps has the Government taken to support New Zealanders through the current global energy shock and associated transport costs? Hon MARK MITCHELL to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, "The reality is that this Government has never been more active in targeting the gangs and criminal leaders and getting them off the streets"; if so, how does she reconcile that statement with the over 40 percent increase in gang membership since October 2017? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and policies? ANNA LORCK to the Minister for Emergency Management: How has the Government responded to the Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay floods? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Does he stand by his statement that "competition in the retail grocery market is not working"; if so, what steps will he take, if any, to break up the supermarket duopoly? Hon LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many people, if any, had received jobseeker support for three consecutive years or longer as at the December 2021 quarter and how many people, if any, had received jobseeker support for three consecutive years or longer as at the December 2017 quarter? Questions to Members MELISSA LEE to the Chairperson of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee: When will the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee report its findings on the Inquiry into the Review of the Radio New Zealand Charter to the House?

Questions to Ministers TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for the Environment: What changes has the Government made to urban planning rules in Rotorua? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner's statement that "Conditions are ripe for a wage price spiral", and is he confident that in 2022 New Zealanders' wage growth, as measured by the labour cost index, will exceed inflation, as measured by the CPI? GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Police: What reports has she seen regarding efforts by Police to disrupt organised crime? JAN LOGIE to the Minister of Health: Does he believe the DHBs' approach to the current negotiation with allied, scientific, and technical health workers will improve job satisfaction and retention among the 70-plus groups represented in that negotiation? JO LUXTON to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has the Government recently made about supporting the tourism sector? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How many of the 300,000 at-risk young people have been vaccinated in the measles catch-up campaign announced in July 2020, and what other non-COVID vaccination efforts are there, if any, to protect New Zealanders this winter? NAISI CHEN to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: What recent announcements has the Government made about strengthening public media? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his statements and actions on immigration? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Maori Development: What reports has he seen on cadetships? MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: How much has he been advised the merger of TVNZ and Radio New Zealand will cost, and how much ongoing taxpayer funding, if any, will the new public media entity he is creating receive? NICOLE McKEE to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by all her statements and policies regarding firearms? RACHEL BOYACK to the Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness): What recent report has she seen on the progress of the Homelessness Action Plan?

Questions to Ministers DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with ANZ economist Miles Workman that "Inflation is now running laps around wage growth", and "households are going backwards at an alarming rate"? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What responses has she seen to the Government's decision to cut fuel excise and road-user charges by 25 cents per litre? CHRIS BISHOP to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): What was the national weekly median rent in October 2017, and what is the current national weekly median rent according to MBIE rental bond data? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister of Education: What actions is the Government taking to support schools and early learning services to keep children and young people safe during the Omicron outbreak? Hon EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Will the Government ban bottom trawling on seamounts in New Zealand waters and support similar measures in international waters, including in the South Pacific? GLEN BENNETT to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What measures will take effect on 1 April to support people and whanau with the cost of living? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Justice: Is the Government taking all possible steps to reduce violent crime and to prioritise the needs of victims of crime? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has the Government recently made about the future of tourism for New Zealand?

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree that New Zealand's cost of living crisis is wider than simply an energy crisis; if not, why? ANGIE WARREN-CLARK to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What action is she taking to give New Zealanders confidence that they will receive the full benefit of the Government's 25 cent reduction in fuel excise duty and road-user charges announced yesterday? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? MARJA LUBECK to the Minister of Education: What response has he seen to Government initiatives to support training and apprenticeships? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Transport: What steps, if any, will he take to ensure people have access to free, frequent, and accessible public transport? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister for the Environment: What steps is the Government taking to improve recycling in New Zealand? SIMEON BROWN to the Minister of Transport: Does he have confidence taxpayers are getting value for money with Government transport spending; if so, why? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health): What recent announcement has he made regarding the interim Maori Health Authority? SIMON WATTS to the Minister of Local Government: Does she stand by her statement on the Three Waters reform that "There are two areas of the Three Waters reform programme that I underestimated, and I acknowledge that's my responsibility", and is she confident it is only two areas she underestimated? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Transport: What recent steps has the Government taken to support New Zealanders to use public transport in response to the global energy shock?

Questions to Ministers SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation: What recent announcements has she made about New Zealand's commitment to global vaccine development? SIMON COURT to the Minister of Local Government: Does she believe the Three Waters reform programme will result in better outcomes for ratepayers; if so, why have so many councils rejected Three Waters? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent actions has she taken to support further sanctions against Russia? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree that "Families across Aotearoa are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living rises, and they are being made to make tough calls over the basics", as stated in RNZ's report Whanau across Aotearoa struggle with basics as costs rise yesterday; if not, why not? GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has she seen regarding the disruption of organised crime? CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Does he stand by all his statements and actions in responding to COVID-19? HELEN WHITE to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about support for the aviation sector as New Zealand continues its reconnection with the world? Hon LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many people, if any, received jobseeker support for one year or longer according to the September 2017 Ministry of Social Development quarterly statistics and how many people, if any, received jobseeker support for one year or longer according to the December 2021 Ministry of Social Development quarterly statistics? ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: What is being done to improve opportunities for Pacific students in Aotearoa New Zealand's schools and universities? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does he stand by all his statements? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she think that a nearly 60 percent increase in the combined profits of the four major electricity companies suggests the electricity market is delivering fair power prices for New Zealanders? MARK CAMERON to the Minister of Climate Change: Is he confident that New Zealand's primary industries have all the tools at their disposal to offset emissions, and does he believe there will be a significant cost increase to farmers from the emissions pricing schemes proposed in the He Waka Eke Noa discussion documents?

Questions to Ministers Hon EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Does he stand by his statement in October 2021 that "We have ambitions to lift New Zealand's marine protected area so that we get closer to that 30 per cent"; if so, when can New Zealanders expect to see new marine protected areas established to help us reach that target? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her statement, "The debate is not whether inflation has increased and is impacting people. The debate is what we should do about it"; if so, will she adjust the income tax brackets to account for the last four years of inflation? Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? DAMIEN SMITH to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that the Government has "no intention" of giving tax cuts; if so, why? Dr EMILY HENDERSON to the Minister of Corrections: Does supporting a person to have a bank account upon release from prison help them to reintegrate into society; if so, how? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement yesterday that it's a "challenging period for many households"; if so, will he use a portion of his operating allowance in Budget 2022 for tax relief? Dr LIZ CRAIG to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements has he made on New Zealand's COVID-19 response? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Housing: Does she have confidence that Kainga Ora is effectively exercising its obligations as a public sector entity, including delivering value for taxpayers' money? GREG O'CONNOR to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has the Government made on keeping New Zealanders safe on our roads? CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Has he seen the official advice regarding vaccine certificates which states, "There are also issues around maintaining social licence over the management of the pandemic and social cohesion. Over time, this measure may no longer be justifiable as vaccination rates increase and the public health rationale becomes diminished", and has he received advice from officials on at what point vaccination certificates are no longer justifiable? TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister of Customs: What initiatives are Customs providing to small-to-medium importers? Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What additional costs have been imposed on businesses, if any, as a result of Government decisions since November 2017 for which he is responsible, and what impact, if any, have those additional costs on business had on the cost of living?

Questions to Ministers CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her response when asked if New Zealand has a cost of living crisis that "I wouldn't describe it that way", and is she considering adjusting income tax brackets to help Kiwis struggling with rising prices? BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by her statement, "I wouldn't describe it that way" when asked if there was a cost of living crisis; if so, why? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister for Women: In light of today being International Women's Day, what work is she progressing to break gender-based biases? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree that New Zealand has a cost of living crisis; if not, why? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Tourism: What announcements has he made about supporting communities to develop local tourism facilities? NICOLA WILLIS to the Minister of Housing: Does she have confidence in the leadership of Kainga Ora; if so, who, if anyone, has been held accountable for its decision to use taxpayer funds to publish an election-year advertisement featuring a soon-to-be-announced Labour Party candidate? JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Will he introduce a comprehensive pay transparency model to help eliminate pay discrimination before the end of this parliamentary term; if not, why not? ERICA STANFORD to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by his statement that a humanitarian visa for Ukrainians with family members living in New Zealand is "not necessary"; if so, can he explain which visa those Ukrainian family members can apply for? NAISI CHEN to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent reports has he seen regarding competition in the retail grocery sector? BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions related to the rental market, and does she believe renters are better off now compared to 2017? SARAH PALLETT to the Associate Minister of Health: What recent announcements has she made about improving abortion services?

Questions to Ministers BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister of Immigration: What steps, if any, will he take to support people in Ukraine fleeing due to invasion and war in their homeland? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements and actions on public spending? VANUSHI WALTERS to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent changes has the Government made in response to the Omicron outbreak in New Zealand? CHRIS BISHOP to the Associate Minister of Health: Does she stand by her statement on 25 January 2022 that the Government has "Increased our PCR testing capacity from a maximum of 39,000 tests a day to a baseline of 58,000 tests. Surge capacity is now 77,600 tests, which can be sustained for 7 days", and is she satisfied with the performance of COVID-19 testing during the current outbreak? TAMATI COFFEY to the Minister for Economic and Regional Development: What announcements has he recently made about the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund? Dr JAMES McDOWALL to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his policies and actions? ANGELA ROBERTS to the Associate Minister of Education: What steps is the Government taking to support new entrants' literacy and oral language success? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent reports has he seen about WorkSafe's enforcement of COVID-19 rules for workplaces? Hon GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does she stand by the Prime Minister's statement, "we have subsequently sought advice on a specific Russian sanctions bill"; if so, when will the Government introduce a specific Russian sanctions bill?

Questions to Ministers DAVID SEYMOUR to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's policies and actions? Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? CHRISTOPHER LUXON to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions? RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What action is the Government taking to decarbonise New Zealand's transport sector? Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements and actions on the cost of living? Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Is he confident the current COVID-19 response settings are informed by best evidence on how to protect people from this virus without using lockdowns? Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: How many inpatient events have been cancelled, in total, since the Delta strain lockdown on 17 August 2021, and how many people are currently waiting more than four months for a first specialist appointment? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements has the Government made on reconnecting New Zealand to the rest of the world? BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Prime Minister: Is the New Zealand Government planning to take further measures to support Ukraine and stand against Russia's unprovoked invasion; if so, what is stopping the Government from implementing these measures right now? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Minister for Building and Construction: What recent reports has she seen regarding education and employment opportunities in the building and construction sector? Hon GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What additional options, if any, has the Government considered in responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and why hasn't the Government introduced an autonomous sanctions regime? JO LUXTON to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: What recent announcement has the Government made about signing a free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom?