8157 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Pacific Peoples

8157 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: What advice, if any, has the Minister received regarding the implications of the Needs-based Service Provision Cabinet office Circular of 13 September 2024 for their departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, listed by date and title?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I received a weekly report update from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples for the period ending 27 September 2024 outlining the implications of the Needs based Service Provision Cabinet Office Circular of 13 September 2024 for the Ministry and its work. The report advised that the Ministry continues to ensure its services are prioritised on the basis of need, not race, consistent with the Cabinet Circular. It noted that the Ministry’s advice, policies, and interventions are underpinned by an evidence based approach, strengthened through improved analytical capability drawing on data from the Ministry’s own initiatives, engagement with Pacific communities, and insights from across government. The report also highlighted the Ministry’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with Stats NZ, and its collaboration with the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Health, which support improved data quality and help identify inequitable outcomes for Pacific peoples to better target interventions.