Business. Scoop » Oral Questions To Ministers – Sitting Date: 21 April 2026
Press Release – HansardParliamentary Debates (Hansard) for Tuesday, 21 April 2026Sitting Date: 21 April 2026FinanceQuestion No. 1RYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East) (14:03)to theMinister of Finance: What. . .
Press Release – HansardParliamentary Debates (Hansard) for Tuesday, 21 April 2026Sitting Date: 21 April 2026FinanceQuestion No. 1RYAN HAMILTON (National—Hamilton East) (14:03)to theMinister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance) (14:03): Today, Stats New Zealand released the latest figures for the Consumers Price Index (CPI). These showed annual CPI inflation for the March quarter of 3. 1 percent, the same as in the December quarter last year, and just outside the Reserve Bank’s target range. Ryan Hamilton: Why is annual CPI inflation still outside the band?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Tradable inflation, which is largely driven by supply and demand for global goods and services, together with movements in New Zealand’s exchange rates, has remained high at 2. 5 percent for the year. This is reflected, for example, in increased food prices, which I know is of concern to New Zealanders. Non-tradable inflation, which is driven by domestic factors and makes up around two-thirds of the CPI basket, has also had some sticky elements, such as local authority rates and electricity. On the positive side, Stats New Zealand points out that rents rose only 1. 2 percent in the year—the smallest annual increase in 16 years. Ryan Hamilton: What part has conflict in the Middle East played?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: We know, from a previous data release, that petrol prices rose 18. 6 percent in the month of March alone, following the start of the conflict. However, March is only one month in the quarter, and petrol prices actually fell in January and February. Increased petrol prices are visible in today’s Consumers Price Index (CPI) results. Stats NZ identified that they were the largest contributor to the quarterly inflation rate, adding one percentage point to the total. However, their impact will be much more pronounced in the next quarter. Of course, that is partly just maths. Even if fuel prices don’t increase any further, the impact will be counted over three months rather than one month. There are a range of views out there, but I note the Reserve Bank has recently predicted annual CPI inflation of 4. 2 percent for the June quarter. I know this is of concern to New Zealanders, which is why the Government continues to call for a cessation of conflict in the Middle East. Ryan Hamilton: How does New Zealand’s inflation rate compare to other countries?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, annual CPI inflation in Australia is currently 3. 7 percent; in the UK, it is 3. 2 percent; and the OECD average is 3. 4 percent. All countries are wrestling with the impacts of the Middle East conflict, but as the world goes into a period of higher fuel prices and therefore higher inflation, New Zealand is starting from a somewhat stronger position than many other countries. Hon David Seymour: How important is very careful spending of taxpayer money when it comes to restraining inflation and any associated interest rate rises—or, to put it another way, does monetary policy still need friends?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, yes, monetary policy does need friends, and it is very important at this time that the Government controls what it can control. We can’t control the trajectory for the conflict in the Middle East and therefore the global oil price and prices at the pump at home. What we can control is our own spending, and this Government is determined to take a responsible course in which we do not add fuel to the inflation fire, as was not the case in recent history under previous Governments. Prime MinisterQuestion No. 2Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the Opposition) (14:07)to thePrime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government’s statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister) (14:07): Absolutely. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Does the Prime Minister continue to enjoy the unanimous support of National Party members of Parliament?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Absolutely. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why did he put confidence in him as leader of the National Party and therefore as Prime Minister to a vote of National Party MPs this morning if he was still confident that he enjoyed the confidence of all of them?SPEAKER: Yeah, just before we go any further, that is caucus business, not necessarily—you could word it a different way, but as it was worded it becomes caucus business. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Thank you, Mr Speaker. If the Prime Minister won’t share details of the vote of confidence in him as leader of the National Party, how can he assure the Governor-General that he continues to enjoy the confidence of this House?SPEAKER: No, no, that’s not a reasonable thing. You know that—Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order, Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: No, hang on, I’m speaking—Hon Member:No, sit down. SPEAKER: One speaker only. Party caucuses’ business is not a matter for Parliament or for question time, where scrutiny is on the Government. The question was put a different way; you could still put it a further way, but if you’re referring in your question to a matter that is for the National Party caucus, or for any party’s caucus in this House, then that is outside the spirit and standing order of question time. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order, Mr Speaker. In order to be the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon has to advise the Governor-General that he continues to enjoy the support of a majority of members of Parliament in this House. Hon Chris Bishop: No, that’s completely wrong. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: That is absolutely the constitutional position. [Interruption]SPEAKER: One person only speaks during a point of order. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Somebody cannot be the Prime Minister unless they can continue to advise the Governor-General that they enjoy the support of the House. If they have lost support of some of their own MPs, then the question of whether or not they enjoy the confidence of the House is a very legitimate one. SPEAKER: The point is, though, that the Prime Minister, at the time of the Government’s formation, goes to tell the Governor-General that he is able, or she is able, to command the confidence of the House. Nothing has changed in that regard. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order, Mr Speaker. TheCabinet Manual, which is the constitutional authority on these matters, is very clear that if the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the majority of members of Parliament in the House, they have to advise the Governor-General of that. It is completely legitimate for the Opposition to question the Prime Minister as to whether or not that is the case. SPEAKER: And in your questioning, your first question related to that, which did get through, and the answer from the Prime Minister was “Yes, absolutely. ” Now, no need to go further than that. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why should the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who have lost jobs under his leadership have confidence in him when the job that he seems most committed to fighting for is his own?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, in answer to the first part of the question, I’d just say to the member that this is a Government that is doing everything it can to turn this economy around, to lift incomes, to create new jobs. If the member wants to get on board, support the Indian free-trade agreement. [Interruption]SPEAKER: That noise is going to stop. We’ve already got people away from the House; a few dozen more would probably make things go a bit smoother. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why should New Zealanders have confidence in him as the Prime Minister when, on a day that business confidence has plummeted, the confidence he seems to be fighting for the most is the confidence of his own MPs?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, because I’d put my economic management record up against his any day of the week. This is a former Prime Minister who drove up spending 84 percent, who actually drove inflation to 32-year highs, 12 or 13 interest rate rises, slowed an economy up, and created unemployment. We are fixing his mess, and we are taking this country forward. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Why can’t the Prime Minister answer questions about when they are going to secure the additional fuel that he promised New Zealanders he would have secured by yesterday—or has he been distracted by other matters?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: No, we’re very focused on the fuel crisis, and that’s what this Government is doing an exceptionally good job of managing, and I think New Zealanders understand that. We’re working through commercial options; when we have that resolved, we’ll come and talk about it. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: What’s going to run out of fuel first: New Zealand or his leadership?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I’ve seen reports of Labour scaremongering about our fuel situation, and I just think that’s really inappropriate for a Leader of the Opposition not to get in behind New Zealand and New Zealanders in a crisis. This country has sufficient supplies of fuel, we’re managing the crisis to the very best of our ability, and we’re serving New Zealanders well. Hon David Seymour: Has the Government learnt anything from the experience of previous Governments in procuring COVID vaccines, where we somehow went from the front of the queue to the back of the OECD in record time, and how will those lessons be applied in responding to this crisis?Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Because this is a Government that—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Point of order. [Interruption]Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order, Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: Someone is going to leave shortly, because when there is a point of order called—Hon Member:Yes, he is. SPEAKER: Well, you’re speaking now during a point of order. Let’s all just calm down. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Mr Speaker, I know you’re very focused on ministerial responsibility today; there is no way that that question falls within the current Prime Minister’s ministerial responsibility. SPEAKER: That is true. The question could have been asked a different way. We’ll go to question No. —Hon Shane Jones: Point of order. Sir, that question was about procurement, and it was seeking to contrast procurement practices of several years ago with procurement practices associated with a fuel buffer. There’s no way that’s out of order. SPEAKER: Well, that’s a very generous interpretation of what the question intended. I did say that the question could be asked in a different way. Hon David Seymour: Oh, well, can I?SPEAKER: Well, are you taking it or not? No. We’ll go to question No. 3—a supplementary?Hon David Seymour: Yes. Has the Government used learnings from past crises in its response to the current fuel shortage; and does that include the botched procurement—SPEAKER: No. Hon David Seymour: —of vaccines during COVID? [Interruption]SPEAKER: No, he’s got no responsibility for any of that. He can answer the first part of the question. Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, what I’d say to the member is that we have learnt everything from the management of the last COVID pandemic. That was a complete and utter mistake, and we have learnt from rapid antigen test procurements, we’ve learnt from vaccine procurements—that’s why this Government got organised early, that’s why we’re in constant contact with industry around fuel importers, and we’re making sure that we learn the lessons and the mistakes from COVID where debt was run up, where spending was out of control—SPEAKER: No, that’s enough. Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: —and New Zealanders’ future was put at risk. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Sticking to the same lines that got him into all this trouble!SPEAKER: Yeah, good. Just wait till the House is quiet and ready to hear your question—Chlöe Swarbrick. Prime MinisterQuestion No. 3CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Co-Leader—Green) (14:15)to thePrime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i ngā kōrero me ngā mahi katoa a tōna Kāwanatanga?[Does he stand by all of his Government’s statements and actions?]Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister) (14:15): Yes. Chlöe Swarbrick: Does the Prime Minister accept that the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather this country is experiencing is driven by climate change?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Yes, I do believe there are climate change effects in the extreme weather we experience all around the world. Chlöe Swarbrick: Why did his Government cut funding for flood protection by 41 percent compared to the former Government?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We’ve invested $200 million in flood protection. We’ve invested a billion dollars in our first Budget on roads—to build more resilience into what we’re doing. Hon Member:Not $6 billion!Chlöe Swarbrick: Why did his Government decide to cut flood protection funding at a time when extreme weather is becoming more frequent and severe, by approximately half compared to the former Government?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, this Government doesn’t just talk words; we put action and investment to climate change. That’s why this country, in the last quarter, has had less emissions produced than in any time since 2010. That’s why we’re investing in resilience in our roading network; that’s why we’re investing another $200 million into our flood protection. We’re proud of that. Hon Chris Bishop: Can the Prime Minister confirm that this Government is the first Government in New Zealand history to develop a national flood map which will map for the first time the areas of high natural hazard risk around the country, which will be taken into account in planning decisions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I can. I’m very proud to say we’ll have a national flood plan by the end of this year. We are the first Government to do so, and we are taking action and putting investment into climate change, not just words and bumper stickers and Post-it notes. Chlöe Swarbrick: Does the Prime Minister agree with the Ministry for the Environment annual report that—[Interruption] Point of order, Mr Speaker. I understood that questions were supposed to be heard in quiet, and we’ve got one of the co-Deputy Prime Ministers going off at my side at the moment. SPEAKER: Yes, it is true, so no one will be speaking while you’re asking your question. Chlöe Swarbrick: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Prime Minister agree with the Ministry for the Environment’s annual report that “Having a national flood map would enable council and homeowners to better prepare, to protect areas and homes from climate risks. However, officials have also emphasised that data alone is not sufficient. Additional measures around infrastructure and community support are needed to reduce exposure and vulnerability. ”; or is that why he decided to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I haven’t read that report but I’d just say we are very comfortable with the actions that we have taken, because we are the ones putting together a national flood plan, we are taking actions across this country to build resilience into everything we’re doing. I’d just say to you: the failed energy policy of the Labour-Greens Government caused an ungodly mess. We’re not doing that; we’re taking action, we’re making investments, we’re sorting it out. Chlöe Swarbrick: Why did his Government decide last year, in Cabinet, to delay all decisions on cost sharing and investment in climate adaptation until after the next election?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We are determined to make sure we deliver on our climate change commitments—that means net zero 2050; that means doing everything we can to deliver on our Paris agreements. But we are doing the practical things. We have reversed the oil and gas ban so we don’t create an energy dry-year risk and high power bills for New Zealanders. If the member cares about it, get in behind the initiatives that we’ve got. Chlöe Swarbrick: Does the Prime Minister understand that his Government has made decisions to delay any meaningful work on climate adaptation until after the election, or is hope now his plan?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: No, look, I’m proud of our record on what we’re doing. We have a renewables boom under way in this country, and that’s in part because of what we’ve done to enable more renewables investment through our fast-track legislation. We have taken a strategic coal reserve behind Huntly; we are looking at extra strategic diesel reserves in Whangārei because we are determined that we are going to lower the cost of energy for New Zealanders so it’s affordable and abundant. Hon Chris Bishop: Can the Prime Minister confirm that there is a suite of renewable energy projects going through the fast track, including just yesterday, after 20 years of delay, the Waitaha Run of River Hydro Scheme to make the West Coast more energy resilient and more renewable?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Exactly—we have a number of renewable projects that are benefiting from the fast track, whether it be down in Southland or whether it be on the West Coast. Again, it’s the point that I’m making: a Labour-Greens Government just talks about it; we are the ones that put action and investment to the task. FinanceQuestion No. 4Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) (14:20)to theMinister of Finance: Has she received advice from the Treasury that inflation could peak above 7 percent this year; if not, what have they advised that inflation could peak at?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance) (14:20): Treasury will produce a full set of economic forecasts alongside the Budget. I can also confirm that I will also, ahead of the Budget, share an update on the economic impacts of conflict in the Middle East. In the interim, Treasury has given me various scenarios, which they have stressed are not forecasts. These, instead, have been prepared at different times since the start of the conflict to look at the stylised impacts of the potential trajectory and scale of the conflict, noting the inherent uncertainty in these scenarios. These scenarios vary. One of them was based on an extreme set of assumptions, including escalating conflict leading to widespread closure of key transport routes, including the Red Sea; escalating strikes on regional energy production facilities, causing widespread, lasting damage; and, critically, oil prices averaging US$180 a barrel being sustained through quarter two and quarter three. I note that if all of these assumptions did come to pass, inflation could reach over 7 percent. However, it’s worth noting that none of them have come to pass; in fact, oil prices in quarter two are currently US$95 a barrel, which is around half what was assumed in the stylised scenario. Hon Barbara Edmonds: Why, then, did she not provide the stylised scenario of having over 7 percent inflation when she was asked on 1 April in this House?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: I’d have to go back and look at theHansard, but as I recall them, the member’s questions weren’t very precise, and what I’d stressed in answer to those questions was that I hadn’t been presented with a forecast, which was the case. I’m happily sharing the number, and I look forward to her listening in to my full economic update in the coming days. Hon Barbara Edmonds: What is her plan for the 70 percent of workers who haven’t seen a wage increase above inflation in the last year?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, first and foremost, my plan is to ensure that we are responding effectively to the global fuel crisis. The worst thing that could happen for New Zealand would be that we’d run short of fuel. That’s why we have worked as a Government to ensure that we are securing additional reserves of fuel, and we are also working internationally to ensure that fuel continues to flow to New Zealand and that we have in place a plan for escalating our response, including restraining demand, should that prove necessary to extend the reserves of fuel that we have. Beyond that, we are also taking great care that the steps that we take to address the very real issues that are occurring for New Zealanders as a result of fuel prices do not make things worse than they need otherwise be, and that would include adding unnecessary fuel to the inflation fire and further deepening the debt hole left to us by the last Government. Hon Barbara Edmonds: Was Tayla Nasmith, from Nurturing Families in West Auckland, correct when she said of these very real issues that “in the past weeks or months, we might have been providing a couple of things for families, but now they’re in such crisis that we’re providing everything for a newborn, or clothing and school supplies for older kids, as well”?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, the person that the member quotes is correct. The conflict in the Middle East is creating enormous hardship for people throughout the world. It has made the whole world poorer. It saddens me that New Zealand has not been insulated from the impacts of that, and I am very aware of the real impacts that it is having on our families and our people. That includes New Zealanders who are vulnerable, who have little income to begin with, and that is why the Government moved swiftly to introduce targeted, temporary support to working families who face high costs in supporting their children. We delivered that support, but did it in a way that adhered to the advice that economists the world over are giving, which is: “Do not respond to this crisis in a way that adds to inflation and further weakens your fiscal sustainability. ”Hon Barbara Edmonds: How can New Zealanders have any confidence in her, given that over the last two years, there are more people unemployed, the economy is smaller, and inflation continues to rise?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Because when people ask me whether they should have confidence in me, they need to compare themselves with the alternative, which is that member, and what she is promoting is more taxes, more spending, more borrowing, and more debt—back to the bad old COVID days. InfrastructureQuestion No. 5MAUREEN PUGH (National—West Coast-Tasman) (14:25)to theMinister for Infrastructure: What updates has he seen on the fast-track approvals scheme?Hon CHRIS BISHOP (Minister for Infrastructure) (14:26): The fast-track scheme is going great guns, well behind this Government’s growth agenda—passed in 2024 and coming into effect in early 2025. Here we are in—I suppose we’re still early-ish in 2026; 18 projects across the country have already received approvals. Some have already started construction, like the extension at the Port of Auckland for the new cruise ship terminal. And as I said in response to another question—Hon Shane Jones: Mining!Hon CHRIS BISHOP: —renewable energy and, indeed, Mr Jones, some mining projects, as well. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Just calm it, thank you. Just a minute. Maureen Pugh: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Which project was the latest to receive an approval under fast track?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Well, I know the member asking the question, the member for West Coast – Tasman, is very happy about the Waitaha Hydro project, approved on Monday by an expert panel. Twenty years in the making; fast track has meant it has received all its approvals in just five months. Westpower estimates the scheme will generate enough electricity for 12,000 homes and prevent—Chlöe Swarbrick—129,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. I’m told this is equivalent to taking 69,000 cars off the road annually. This is what fast track delivers: jobs, growth, renewables, and energy resilience for the Coast. SPEAKER: Excellent, thank you. Maureen Pugh: How many projects are currently utilising the benefits of the fast-track scheme?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: There are 48 referral applications that have been lodged and found compliant, and 47 substantive applications have been lodged and found complete. If they’re all approved, these would authorise the construction of nearly 24,000 new houses, thousands of new retirement village units, and thousands of additional megawatts of new electricity generation. There are projects for housing and urban development, renewables, new infrastructure, mining, and quarrying, which this country needs if we are to build things again. New Zealanders are sick and tired of waiting year after year for consents to come for projects that the majority of reasonable people agree are needed. Fast track is making sure we can get on with the job. Hon Shane Jones: Dig, baby, dig!SPEAKER: I’ll remind people that interjections are meant to be rare and reasonable, and not sustained commentary. Maureen Pugh: How fast is fast track really going?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Well, listen up: the average number of working days for a substantive decision is 126. Waitaha Hydro was not approved after 20 years. There are wind farms around the country that took six years to be approved. Auckland Port estimates their application to extend the wharf would have taken more than three years; it took five months and nine days. The next stages of Milldale were consented in five months and nine days, too; two years faster than the Resource Management Act (RMA). And this is a classic: Green Steel, a steel manufacturing plant in the Waikato using recycled steel, took seven months and 18 days. They say it would have taken six years under the RMA. These projects have been delivered quickly with environmental conditions to make sure the environment is protected. Fast track is working and the Opposition need to get on board. EnergyQuestion No. 6Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour—Wigram) (14:30)to theMinister for Energy: When will a decision be made on whether to proceed with an LNG import terminal?Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister for Energy) (14:30): As the member will be aware, the Government made announcements in February and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) input terminal is progressing through a procurement process. Decisions will be made following that process. Hon Dr Megan Woods: What specific price, cost-benefit ratio, or thresholds are being used to determine whether or not the LNG terminal stacks up?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, the process we’re going through is to make sure that we reduce power bills for New Zealanders, that we make sure we protect regional jobs, and we keep the lights on, unlike the previous Government’s approach—SPEAKER: No—no. That’s enough. [Interruption] That’s quite enough—quite enough. Hon Dr Megan Woods: Thank you. What alternative measures, if any, has he asked for advice on to provide dry-year electricity security if the LNG terminal does not proceed?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, we’re working through a procurement process, but on this side of the House we are focused on affordable electricity prices, keeping the lights on, and protecting jobs, and the reality is, you can’t run an electricity system on hope that it will rain. That’s the Opposition’s strategy—SPEAKER: No—no. No, sorry; no more of that, otherwise the Government will lose all the balance of its questions today. Answer the questions as a Minister, within the bounds of your responsibility; no attack on the Opposition. Hon Dr Megan Woods: Point of order. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I asked a very straight question. It was: what alternative—SPEAKER: You can ask it again without losing one. Hon Dr Megan Woods: Thank you. What alternative measures, if any, has he asked for advice on to provide dry-year electricity security if the LNG terminal does not proceed?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, as the member will be aware, this Government is focused on security of electricity supply and we’re taking a number of actions in order to achieve that, including making sure that we have the back-up generation needed. That’s why we supported the heads of agreement between the gentailers last year; that’s why we’re supporting fast track. Ultimately, we are focused on ensuring that we protect jobs, keep the lights on, and make electricity more affordable. Hon Dr Megan Woods: Is the Minister confirming to the House that he has not asked for advice on alternative measures to LNG to provide dry-year back-up security?Hon SIMEON BROWN: I’ve asked for a range of advice from officials, including around how we ensure that we keep the lights on, that we protect regional jobs, and that we make electricity more affordable for New Zealanders. We are going through a procurement process when it comes to LNG and, ultimately, we are taking a number of steps as a Government to make sure we achieve these objectives. Simon Court: What confidence can the Minister give businesses that LNG will reduce the risk of closures, job losses, deindustrialisation—all of those things caused by energy insecurity and price volatility?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well, unfortunately, after the previous Government made the decision to ban oil and gas exploration, we have seen a significant reduction in gas availability in New Zealand. It is reducing faster than was expected and that is damaging jobs, it is damaging industries across our country, and what we are focused on is making sure we do what’s needed to protect those jobs, and we need to make sure we protect those industries. Now, we can only do that if we have the energy this country needs to be able to make that happen. I can tell the member: hope is not a strategy. Hon Dr Megan Woods: Does he agree with Simon Watts, who said, “If we don’t have an LNG terminal, we haven’t got a plan B for a dry year. ”?Hon SIMEON BROWN: As I said, we are working through a process. Once that process is complete, decisions will be made and they’ll be announced. Hon Dr Megan Woods: So, no plan?SPEAKER: Question No. 7—Hon Dr Megan Woods: Not even hope?SPEAKER: Just a minute. Why do you have to keep on going? Take a supplementary if you need to, but it comes off your allocation. As much as you may enjoy your questions to the House, some of us don’t after your allocations are over. EducationQuestion No. 7KATIE NIMON (National—Napier) (14:35)to theMinister of Education: What recent announcement has she made in response to fuel cost pressures in education?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education) (14:35): It is a priority for this Government to make sure that schools stay open and students are in school, engaged in their learning. Effective from this week, the relief teacher transport allowance has been increased from 37 cents to 83 cents for cars and 15 to 31 cents for motorbikes. To support schools with these costs, we’re providing one-off cash grants of $2,500 to all schools with under 100 students. We’ve increased the conveyance allowance by 30 percent to respond to fuel cost pressures, supporting around 5,000 eligible students. And we’re replacing up to 70 diesel boilers in schools to reduce diesel dependency, boost resilience, and save around 600,000 litres of diesel per year. This is targeted, temporary, and timely in a package that provides support where it’s needed. Katie Nimon: How will her announcement support staffing in rural areas?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Looking to the medium term, we’re also investing $2. 35 million per year to grow our workforce and help ensure rural and isolated schools have a strong pipeline of teachers. This Government’s recently announced Go Rural programme offers student teachers $4,000 to cover the cost of undertaking a placement in a rural and isolated school. This has been hugely successful and oversubscribed, so yesterday I announced a further 87 places per year to support staffing in rural schools. We’re also increasing the number of places available in the Government’s Teacher Bonding Scheme by 50 places to 235 per year, supporting teachers with an additional $40,000 over five years, working in hard-to-staff schools, the majority of which are rural and isolated. Katie Nimon: How did schools contribute to the development of this response?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I directed the Ministry of Education to pick up the phone or personally visit every single school in New Zealand so that we can understand exactly what they’re dealing with on the ground. Two issues that were consistently raised were access to relief teachers for our predominantly rural and isolated schools, because relief teachers can make choices about where they travel to work. The other was the conveyance allowance. This package directly responds to their concerns that were raised with the ministry, and we will continue to be in direct contact with schools to monitor the situation and respond where necessary. Katie Nimon: What feedback has she had from schools?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Within minutes of the announcement, I was contacted by a principal who said, “Thank you, particularly for the funding for relief teacher petrol. Having that extra to be able to pay relievers’ travel will greatly help our situation. ” Another said thank you “for the way the allowance has been allocated to support smaller and rural schools who are finding relief teachers can be a significant burden. ” And Andrew King, the president of the Rural Schools Leadership Association, said on RNZ this morning, “It’s a really positive step with supporting schools, particularly our most isolated and smaller schools, with these rising costs. ”Economic GrowthQuestion No. 8Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) (14:38)to theMinister for Economic Growth: Does she stand by her statement, “I absolutely stand on the side of anyone who wants to work hard and get ahead”?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister for Economic Growth) (14:38): Yes, and that’s what the Government is doing. This month, we’ve delivered additional support to hard-working New Zealand families in a way that is timely, targeted, and temporary. From 7 April, around 143,000 working families began receiving an extra $50 a week through the in-work tax credit, with a further 14,000 families now eligible for an abated rate of that tax credit. We’ve also acted to support those delivering essential services with a temporary 30 percent increase in mileage rates for home and community support workers to help offset rising fuel costs and ensure continuity of care. This is what standing on the side of people who work hard and want to get ahead looks like, and we are doing it responsibly; we are doing it in a way that does not add fuel to the inflation fire or adds excessively to debt. Hon Ginny Andersen: How can she claim to be “on the side of those in the construction sector who wish to see more employment” when we have seen this Government reach 20,000 fewer construction jobs?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, because if you talk to those in the construction sector, they say one of the most important things for ensuring that there’s high levels of construction activity is that interest rates are lower. And on the watch of this Government, there have been successive interest rate reductions, whereas on the watch of the previous Government, they increased at such a rapid rate that it’s meant that many construction projects fell over. Hon Ginny Andersen: If she truly is on the side of construction workers, then why are there 39,570 working-age jobseeker support clients as at the end of January 2026, who have declared construction, mining labourer, or trades worker as their previous occupation?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Because the economy has been going through a challenging recovery following a period of excessively high inflation that was sustained outside of the target band for 33 months in a row, leading to a massive spike in interest rates and a very difficult economic recovery. This Government has been steering New Zealand out of that. It is also the case that we have been, like every country in the world, buffeted by the events in the Middle East, and we are working very hard to ensure that we strengthen our economy and its resilience to those global impacts. Hon Ginny Andersen: How does her optimism help Jamie Lloyd, owner of a Wellington building company, who lost three months’ worth of work due to soaring fuel prices and has described the construction industry here in Wellington as “bleak”?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Well, my thoughts absolutely go out to Jamie and others like him in the economy who are doing everything right. In this case, it sounds as if he’s someone who’s had the gumption to start his own business, to put his own money and time on the line, and to take risks. That is why I think it is so deeply, deeply regrettable when events such as those in the Middle East come to our shores, because it is the case that higher fuel prices are having a real impact on many. For our part, the Government is determined to ensure that we continue to have sufficient fuel supply in the country; that we mitigate the impacts of this conflict in ways that are responsible, temporary, and targeted; and that we continue to support the construction sector through the Government’s ongoing investment in infrastructure projects. Hon Ginny Andersen: How can she claim her Government is supporting the construction sector when there have already been record job losses and, now, her Government has no clear plan in a fuel crisis which is just causing increased uncertainty across the sector?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: I utterly reject the assertion made in the latter part of that question, and it’s an assertion that the Labour Party dishonourably continue to make on social media. We have a plan, we have a fuel response plan, we have published that plan, we are taking all of the measures necessary. Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with leaders from across the world, many of whom affirmed that it looks like New Zealand is doing exactly the right things and commented that, in fact, our response of ensuring that we are able to set out in advance the phases of a response plan, that we have thought about how to secure additional reserves, and that we are taking temporary and timely economic steps is the right way to be doing things. Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 9Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green—Rongotai) (14:43)to theMinister for Social Development and Employment: Is the civil defence payment available for people in Wellington affected by the severe weather and flooding for which a state of emergency has been declared, and, if not, why not?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) (14:43): I acknowledge that many people have been affected by the recent weather events in Wellington and will still be feeling unsettled as the clean-up continues in communities. Local defence teams take the lead after an event and are primarily responsible for helping people with their immediate needs. The provision of civil defence payments is a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) operational decision that is informed by assessments by civil defence, by MSD, and by local communities. MSD continues to monitor the situation closely and is engaged with local civil defence groups to understand community needs. Existing MSD services and support have, so far, been able to meet the needs of those impacted. Hon Julie Anne Genter: If, and when, the Wellington civil defence and emergency management group does make a formal request for the civil defence emergency payment for impacted Wellingtonians, will the Government grant it?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: As I said in the answer to the primary question, there is an assessment by MSD, by local civil defence, and by local communities, and it is based on those assessments that MSD makes a decision about whether or not civil defence payments are necessary. Hon Julie Anne Genter: What support, if not the civil defence payment, is available to Wellingtonians from the Government for those people who may have lost bedding, accommodation, food, or other essentials in the severe weather and flooding?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: MSD has a range of supports and services available to New Zealanders when they face hardship, and they have been fielding inquiries and providing support as necessary. Hon Julie Anne Genter: If people go to access that support she just mentioned, will they be receiving, essentially, loans—and, therefore, going into debt—to access the support that they need to get essentials right now?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: As I said, there’s a range of support available to people who are affected by the weather events in Wellington. I would state, for the record of the House, if people are concerned about their ability, they should contact the MSD in the first instance. Hon Julie Anne Genter: Does she accept that the value of the civil defence payment for food or bedding hasn’t changed since 2013, and, if so, will she increase the payment so that people can be properly supported when affected by these increasingly common extreme weather events?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: The first step is that there is an assessment by civil defence, by local communities, and by MSD as to whether or not the civil defence payments are required. That is the first step. Hon Julie Anne Genter: Point of order. Mr Speaker, the Minister made it very clear in all her answers that the civil defence payment may or may not be granted, based on an assessment. My question was about the value of the civil defence payment and about that not changing. Whether or not it is granted, the question of the value of it is separate to whether or not it will be granted. The Minister didn’t address that aspect of my question. SPEAKER: I’m not sure that’s entirely the Minister’s responsibility, but she may wish to make a further comment. Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Well, Mr Speaker, as I said, the civil defence payments—a decision hasn’t been made to grant them in this first instance. Where people need accommodation assistance, they are adjusted annually with the annual general adjustment. Tourism and HospitalityQuestion No. 10CATHERINE WEDD (National—Tukituki) (14:47)to theMinister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism in New Zealand?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Tourism and Hospitality) (14:47): Data released by Stats New Zealand last week shows that New Zealand’s international visitor numbers continue to rise. Annual figures show that overseas visitor arrivals reached 3. 58 million in the year to February 2026, which is an increase of 229,000 people on the previous year. This puts us at 92 percent of the pre-COVID levels. Over 408,000 overseas visitors chose to visit New Zealand in February 2016; that’s over 53,000 more than the same time a year ago. Growing tourism is a key part of our Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future, and our progress shows that our plan is working. Catherine Wedd: What markets have seen the strongest growth?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: We are seeing continued growth from our largest visitor market, Australia, with 1. 54 million arrivals in the year to February, up 123,000 on the year prior. Chinese visitor arrivals are also up 41,700, an increase of 214 percent in February 2026 compared with the same month in 2025, as more Chinese visitors chose to take advantage of the visa waiver trial and experience New Zealand over Chinese New Year. As a country, we are seeing the flow-on of growth and confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector as more visitors are choosing New Zealand as their holiday destination. More international visitors means more customers for our businesses and, ultimately, more jobs being created across New Zealand. Hon Shane Jones: The regions—the regions. Catherine Wedd: How are the Government’s visa changes impacting visitor number?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: A visa waiver trial that allows eligible visitors from China and the Pacific to travel to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority rather than a visa is making a difference. In December, we announced that 13,000 Chinese and Pacific travellers had already visited, with 24,000 total requests approved; that number is now at almost 67,000 visits. With an average visitor spend of $5,300 for Chinese visitors, that’s an estimated economic injection of almost $350 million for Kiwi businesses from those who have visited, with Chinese visitors making up around 65,946 of the visits on this new pathway. This visitor spending is directly going into local businesses and, Mr Shane Jones, the regions—that includes shops, eateries, accommodation, and transport. This is spending that might otherwise not have happened without this trial. Catherine Wedd: What commentary has she seen on these reports?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Travel and Tour World says: “Australia has overtaken [key markets] to lead New Zealand’s historic tourism surge. ” and “New Zealand’s strategic Government policies … have played a pivotal role in attracting these record numbers. ” Otago Peninsula Trust Ecotourism Manager Hoani Langsbury said: “We’ve had reasonably solid Chinese visitor numbers through December, January, and February. It is exciting for us because Chinese visitors account for 6 percent to 8 percent of our business. ” ASB economist Wesley Tanuvasa has said: “Inbound tourism remains strong. Having more of the tourism increase driven by the Chinese cohort, who are bigger spenders per day, should support growth even if [just for] a seasonal boost. ” Tourism is critical to our economy, and our investments will help deliver lasting benefits for communities and businesses from one end of New Zealand to the other. Science, Innovation and TechnologyQuestion No. 11REUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour—Christchurch East) (14:51)to theMinister for Science, Innovation and Technology: Does she stand by her reported statement that science and innovation are a core part of the Government’s plan to lift productivity, support high-value jobs, and expand the economy, when about 700 jobs in the science sector have been lost since 2024?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology) (14:51): Yes. Science and innovation are a core part of our plan to lift productivity, support high-value jobs, and build the future by growing the economy. I note that the Stats New Zealand Research and Development Survey shows that employment in the sector increased from 28,200 roles in 2022 to 30,600 roles in 2024, with most of that growth in the private sector, which is, actually, where most R & D investment is made. Budget 2025 committed more than $1. 8 billion to science and innovation, and our reforms are deliberately focused on maximising the value of public investment in science and building a more dynamic system that can respond to national priorities, keep pace with technological change, lift productivity, and, most importantly, support higher-value jobs across the economy. SPEAKER: That is an exceptionally long answer. I would suggest that you edit the balance of your responses substantially. Reuben Davidson: How does the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council proposal to cut 22 percent from primary industries and bioeconomy research, a sector forecast to deliver a record $62 billion in exports this year, lift productivity, support high-value jobs, and expand the economy?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Of course, it isn’t a cut; it is a reallocation of funding to the Advanced Technology Institute. I’d like to refer to a farmer’s weekly article from 7 April, where the AgriTechNZ CEO Brendan O’Connell said he welcomes the shift in focus to technology and science funding—describing the recognition of technology as a distinct research pillar as a defining moment. I quote from Mr O’Connell: “The idea, a significant part of our R & D should be in new tech and be applied, is a good message to send. This is where the wealth generation will be for both the agri and the tech sector. ”Reuben Davidson: Why, then, is there no publicly available workforce strategy to retain or replace the scientists being made redundant?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Well, of course, the focus is on ensuring that we have a strong science and innovation sector, which engages with industry, to ensure that productivity and growth in our economy occurs because two-thirds of the R & D that happens in this country happens with our businesses. Reuben Davidson: Does cutting roles in hazard-monitoring teams risk degrading services—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Whoa—whoa, whoa. Questions have got to be heard in silence. Start again. Reuben Davidson: Does cutting roles in hazard-monitoring teams risk degrading services that directly protect New Zealanders?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: We are very focused on ensuring that the critical work that is done in weather forecasting and climate research continues. We’re bringing NIWA and MetService together in Earth Sciences so that we can get efficiencies and ensure that we reinvest in improvements to our climate science and our weather forecasting capabilities. We need to ensure that our funding is focused on those front-line scientists doing the research. Reuben Davidson: What assurances, then, can she give to the former Earth Sciences New Zealand geohazard analyst who now works in Italy and said he “hopes that a new Government would address these issues with science funding, and I could come back to a New Zealand with a strong science funding system in place”?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Well, the reforms we are undertaking are absolutely focused on ensuring we have a strong science, innovation, and technology sector. Look, I realise that change is never easy for those that are directly affected by it, but we are ensuring that our public research organisations, our PROs, are financially resilient and are focused and are putting their attention to the priority areas that they should be that will ensure our economy is strong and grows. JusticeQuestion No. 12TĀKUTA FERRIS (Te Tai Tonga) (14:57)to theMinister of Justice: Does he agree that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the founding document of our contemporary nation of Aotearoa New Zealand?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Justice) (14:57): I agree that the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in its two languages was the document signed at the founding of our contemporary nation. Tākuta Ferris: What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that Te Tiriti – based rights of Māori in the justice system are not adversely affected by the Government’s intention to review, amend, and repeal Te Tiriti clauses in legislation?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Well, as part of the coalition agreement with New Zealand First, we as a Government sought to try and bring a bit of order to the 28 or so pieces of legislation that refer the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and a host of arrangements—sometimes “give effect to”, sometimes “have regard to”, sometimes “honour”, sometimes “take account”, and sometimes referring to “the Treaty”, sometimes to “Te Tiriti”; a whole host of things. We set a group up to bring some coherency to that, and that’s what we’re doing. Tākuta Ferris: Will he champion a suspension of the review until meaningful consultation on the potential impacts on Māori Te Tiriti – based rights in justice has been investigated and a review process that both Te Tiriti partners are happy with can be implemented; if not, why not?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Well, of course, as we speak, there is consultation going on on the Cabinet decisions. When the legislation is introduced in the House, it will then go off to a select committee, and all New Zealanders, including Māori, will have the opportunity to have their say. Content Sourced fromscoop. co. nzOriginal url