33037 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister for Economic Growth

33037 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister for Economic Growth: What processes, if any, does the government use to determine which financially challenged industrial infrastructure or facilities, such as mills and food processing facilities, are entitled to public grants?

Hon Nicola Willis: The Government does not operate a general entitlement to public grants for financially challenged firms. Markets remain the best way to allocate resources and, in most cases, market forces should prevail. Golden Bay Cement presented a unique economic resilience and security of supply issue – if the plant closed, then most of New Zealand’s cement would be imported, and New Zealand would be vulnerable to international supply disruptions which could have a significant impact on the economy.