3801 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment

3801 (2025). Hon Rachel Brooking to the Minister for the Environment: Did she or her office play any role in organising the meeting with Otago Regional Council councillors held in the week starting 27 January 2025, given that multiple councillors believed it was held at her invitation?

Hon Penny Simmonds: The invite for the meeting came from a Ministry for the Environment official, however, letters were exchanged between Cr Robertson and myself confirming an intention to meet. It was my intention to attend for a period of time but due to events in the House on the day I could not make the meeting. Ministry for the Environment officials made clear at the beginning of the meeting that I may get held up. My officials will continue to work with the ORC.