29415 (2026). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister

29415 (2026). Rt Hon Chris Hipkins to the Prime Minister: What processes, if any, does he have in place to scrutinize proposed budgets for his Ministers’ overseas travel before he approves such travel and papers are submitted to Cabinet for approval?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: Ministers and their offices are responsible for ensuring that estimates for proposed travel accurately reflect the requirements of the travel, and that costs proposed represent appropriate value for money for taxpayers. Draft travel proposals are provided to my Office, to ensure the travel aligns with the Government’s priorities, and, with support from Ministerial Services, to confirm whether costs can be met from within the Ministerial Services budgets. I have asked officials in Ministerial Services to play a more active role in ensuring travel arrangements reflect value for money to the taxpayer.