40233 (2026). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Associate Minister of Health

40233 (2026). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Associate Minister of Health: Further to her answers to written question 38441 (2026): what triggered this review?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that Health New Zealand undertook an internal audit following concerns raised by a consortium of providers about the procurement process for Auckland home and community support contracts. Those concerns were set out in a letter received by Health New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Dr Dale Bramley, on 28 July 2026. I am further advised the internal audit was limited to assessing the integrity of selected aspects of the procurement process and related complaint themes. It was not a full internal review of the procurement, nor was it designed to assess compliance with every applicable government procurement rule. This is why previous answers distinguished between an internal audit undertaken by Health NZ’s Audit & Assurance team and a broader internal review into the awarding of the contracts. I am also advised that a broader internal review is intended to be completed once the procurement has concluded and contracts have been awarded.