13655 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 03 Apr 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	13655 (2025)
Question asked:	20 Mar 2025
Member asking:	Camilla Belich
Portfolio:	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister replying:	Rt Hon Winston Peters
Answer received:	30 Mar 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_13655_2025
Document guid:	23ba8aa5-6e0b-4ed2-b6b0-09b57df7bac7

13655 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What is the total amount, if any, spent on external legal advice or law firms by any agencies under the Minister’s responsibility since 27 November 2023, broken down by firm and purpose?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: I am advised that is it not possible to provide a comprehensive answer to the amount spent on external legal advice within the timeframe for answers to Written Questions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has employed three groups in New Zealand to provide external legal advice: • Crown Law: to provide advice relating to regulatory and environment law issues • Barristers: to provide advice relating to international litigation, international trade law, and constitutional issues • Solicitors: to provide advice relating to employment, commercial law, Waitangi Tribunal Inquiries and public law issues In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 58 offshore posts engage external lawyers from time to time, particularly regarding local employment matters. It is not possible to collate information about such engagements within the timeframe for answers to Written Questions.