Oral Questions for Thursday 31 July 2025

Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Women: Does she stand by her statement, "My top priority as Minister for Women is to support women to economic empowerment because not only does it give women more choice, but it has a ripple effect on families, communities, and the economy"; if so, is fair pay critical to economic empowerment? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: What actions, if any, has he taken to reduce power bills for energy consumers, and how much have power bills reduced on average, if at all, as a result of these actions? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about strengthening primary care? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? PAULO GARCIA to the Minister of Local Government: What announcements has he made about increasing transparency in local government? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that he is ensuring "nurses have the resources they need to provide access to timely, quality healthcare"? HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What, if anything, is she doing to address the 10 percent decrease in filled jobs for 15- to 19-year-olds since June 2024? TODD STEPHENSON to the Prime Minister: What is the Government doing to reduce spending? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she agree with Erica Stanford, who said in 2023 that she was "committed to more" pay for existing teachers; if so, how is one of the lowest pay offers ever, as reported by RNZ, being "committed to more"? STEVE ABEL to the Minister of Agriculture: What steps, if any, is he taking to guard against perceived influence by the dairy lobby on freshwater policy? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What recent announcements has the Government made to support Kiwis at the checkout? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, "The Government is creating the conditions where jobs are created, absolutely", and would 184,000 New Zealanders have left the country in the past 18 months if this was the case?