19677 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport

19677 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Transport: Further to Reply 18719 (2026): (a) on what date and time was the media statement referred to in that reply first provided to the Minister or to any member of his office; (b) was the Minister or any member of his office informed, in writing or orally, prior to publication that the statement would not reference the February 2025 detection; and (c) did the Minister or any member of his office raise any question, comment, or query with NZTA on the content of the statement at any time prior to its publication?

Hon Chris Bishop: My office was provided with the media statement for awareness on 10 November 2025 at 10:58am. As this was an operational matter, the notification was not provided for consultation or feedback, and no questions, comments, or queries were raised by my office prior to its publication. The notification did not specifically address whether the statement would reference the February 2025 detection.