21182 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Prime Minister

21182 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Prime Minister: On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury, or any other agency regarding the feasibility, cost, delivery risk, timeframes, and limitations of substituting AI tools for the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what did that advice say, and will the Minister release it, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: In my capacity as Prime Minister I am the responsible minister for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Vote Minister for Prime Minister and Cabinet. As part of Budget 26, Cabinet has agreed to a programme of reform aimed at transforming the public service to streamline how it is organised, accelerate digital transformation, strengthen leadership and talent and improve efficiency and productivity. Ministers have asked Chief Executives to work through what this means for their organisations. My department is working through this request and will work with the relevant agencies, unions and other stakeholders as required, and brief me at the relevant time. Specific decisions on how these reforms will be achieved by agencies have not yet been made. I have not received advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury or from officials in DPMC of the type outlined. The Budget will be followed by a proactive release of documents informing budget decisions, including advice related to public sector transformation.