9721 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

9721 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What contractor or consultant engagements, if any, are currently active across any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible, where the individual contractor or consultant is being paid at a rate exceeding $200 per hour, listed by department or entity, role or engagement description, daily or hourly rate, and contract start date?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that due to how this information is stored in Ministry systems, this would require a review of individual files and or the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with the Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering this part of the Member’s questions is not in the public interest. I am further advised that three of the Crown entities do not currently have any active contractor or consultant engagements where the individual is being paid at a rate exceeding $200 per hour. The New Zealand Artificial Limb Service has 10 contract surgeons within the organisation covering the following regions: three in Auckland, two in Christchurch, one in Tauranga, one in Dunedin, one in Hamilton, and two in Wellington. The hourly rate is $300 for each surgeon, who provide specialist prosthetic support. The start dates for the individual contracts could not be identified within the time available.