489 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 13 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	489 (2026)
Question asked:	26 Jan 2026
Member asking:	Ricardo Menéndez March
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	09 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_00489_2026
Document guid:	5c36c071-c3fc-478d-b5a4-52322ca6dd80

489 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: From 01 January 2021 to 15 January 2026, how many people, if any, have been subsidised for travel from Aotea to the mainland, broken down by type of assistance, median amount, number of grants, and number of advances?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that obtaining this information would require substantial manual collation and engagement and divert Ministry staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider the time, and hence the expense, of answering the Member’s question is not in the public interest.