22127 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Economic Growth

22127 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Economic Growth: What government resources, if any, have been spent in the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, on a pay equity claim that will be halted, if any?

Hon Nicola Willis: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Employment Services manages pay comparator information as part of its business-as-usual activities, making this data available to eligible parties, including on the Employment NZ website. Staff handle these requests on an ad hoc basis alongside their regular duties. As such, quantifying specific time or costs related to these activities is not feasible as they are integrated into existing operational budgets and workflows. Employment Services Dispute Resolutions have identified two mediations scheduled that involve pay equity claims, we are unable at this time to assess if there are any additional cases, as they are not specifically coded in our systems. We are unable to specify the time spent as the work requires coordination amongst multiple parties to arrange a time and location for Mediation, as well as premeditation discussions held by the mediator to understand the matter at hand. Once Royal assent is given, all matters currently before the Authority will be discontinued. Any claims will need to be re-filed under the amended legislation in the Authority. With regard to New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, none.