15257 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Associate Minister of Education

15257 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Associate Minister of Education: Were any checks, other than the Centrix business credit checks, undertaken into Libelle Group, Compass Group and Gilmours during the Ka Ora Ka Ako procurement process; and if so, what were these?

Hon David Seymour: The Services Agreement for Ka Ora, Kao Ako is between the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) and Compass Group NZ. Prior to the announcement of the School Lunch Collective, the Ministry went through a robust procurement process to identify a preferred supplier. Previous performance and track record were thoroughly tested to assess the School Lunch Collective’s capability and capacity to provide nutritious and enjoyable lunches for children. For more information, refer to the recommendation to proceed contract, available at: https://web-assets.education.govt.nz/s3fs-public/2025-03/recommendation%20to%20proceed%20to%20contract.pdf?VersionId=CR3SuAn2r9m4eQZ.HDWKQOq.YEUj8EWN The responsibility to proceed to negotiation with the shortlisted companies following the Registration of Interest (ROI) process for the Alternative Provision Model is with the Ministry of Education.