13847 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

13847 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: 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?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: The Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana - Te Tari Whakatau spends approximately $6.5 million per annum for external legal advice and support. This advice is primarily obtained from Crown Law and a small number of external legal providers who support the drafting of deeds of settlement. The majority of this expenditure has been on litigation relating to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 and until 23 February 2025, the Wakatū litigation. Providing further details, including the specific purpose of advice obtained, may breach legal professional privilege and therefore, I do not consider it to be in the public interest to publish this.