9393 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Pacific Peoples

9393 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: What external legal costs, if any, were incurred by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible in each financial year since 2020/21, broken down by department or entity and by the nature of the legal work (litigation, commercial advice, employment matters, Treaty matters, or other)?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (the Ministry), that since the 2020/21 financial year, the Ministry’s total external legal costs (excluding GST) are as follows: • 2020/21 FY – $13,472.00 • 2021/22 FY – $44,462.00 • 2022/23 FY - $101,426.00 • 2023/24 FY - $187,168.00 • 2024/25 FY - $28,924.00 • 2025/26 FY - $60,880.00 (up to 23 March 2026) While total external legal expenditure is available, a breakdown by the nature of legal work is not held centrally and is further limited by legal privilege and the confidential nature of some matters.