44646 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation

44646 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation: What steps are being taken to ensure that the view of "parents and caregivers who use the services of ECE providers" are taken into account in the ECE Regulatory Sector Review?

Hon David Seymour: The Ministry for Regulation has opened an engagement hub on its website and is inviting parents to comment. One of the questionnaires is specifically aimed at parents and caregivers. Officials advise that as of 31 July 2024, the Ministry has received 480 submissions from parents and caregivers. There have been at least five of these submissions from every area of the country, apart from the Chatham Islands which have had no responses so far. Approximately 15% of submissions come from rural areas (which is broadly in line with the proportion of people who live rurally in New Zealand).