2422 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Economic Growth

2422 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Economic Growth: How many cases of workplace bullying were referred to external investigators, mediators, the Employment Relations Authority, or other external bodies in each calendar year since 2015 in relation to any staff, employees, secondees, contractors, or office holders for whom the Minister has responsibility in connection with the portfolio, if any?

Hon Nicola Willis: I am advised that there have been less than five substantiated or partially substantiated incidents of bullying recorded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2025. Where small numbers of incidents are recorded, exact numbers are not provided to protect the privacy of natural persons. I am also advised that numbers of incidents for previous years cannot be provided due to the substantial collation effort required to compile this information. Providing the Member with the data requested would involve the review of over 1300 individual, sensitive employment relations files for staff dating back to 2015. As such, due to the time and therefore expense of such a collation, I do not believe that answering the Member's question is in the public interest. I am also advised that changes have been implemented to business processes to allow for future reporting I am further advised that MBIE does not comment on the details or outcomes of employment relations cases to protect the privacy of all parties involved. With regard to New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, I am responsible for board appointments and have no employment responsibilities for staff. However, it is my expectation that complaints of bullying and sexual harassment are taken seriously and that processes are in place to manage such matters.