20056 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises

20056 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Would the Minister for State Owned Enterprises consider it appropriate for a State enterprise to make financial payments to small business owners conditional on those owners not publicly criticising the State enterprise, and if so, on what basis?

Hon Simeon Brown: Confidentiality, non-disclosure, or non-disparagement clauses are sometimes included in settlement agreements for disputes, but whether this is appropriate depends on the terms of the clauses and on the circumstances of the specific situation. It would obviously not be appropriate for a State enterprise to make a payment to anyone solely on the basis that the other party did not criticise the State enterprise. I do not believe that is what has occurred.