15339 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Regulation

15339 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Regulation: What specific feedback, if any, broken down by date and title, did the Ministry for Regulation receive from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, regarding the recommendation to remove the applicable criteria 'HS5 - Safe Assembly Areas' which required ECE centers to have safe assembly areas?

Hon David Seymour: Officials advise that the Ministry for Regulation engaged with other government agencies including Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) throughout the early childhood education review process. Officials advise that face-to –face meetings were held with Fire and Emergency New Zealand on 20 May 2024 and 11 July 2024 which discussed a number of licensing criteria. The Ministry sought feedback from FENZ and NEMA relating to the licensing criteria and subsequent recommendation to remove the applicable criteria 'HS5 - Safe Assembly Areas'. Officials advise that the Ministry for Regulation sent draft recommendations to multiple agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency and Fire and Emergency New Zealand for feedback. Implementing these changes is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, which includes a robust process that includes sector engagement before any changes to the licensing criteria can take place.