54481 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education

Written Question

Published date: 09 Dec 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	54481 (2025)
Question asked:	19 Nov 2025
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister of Education
Minister replying:	Hon Erica Stanford
Answer received:	04 Dec 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_54481_2025
Document guid:	bedc1d03-f5e0-443d-82f9-d5e6510dbfb5

54481 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education: What, if anything, is the process for reviewing the Ministry of Education's offers to historic abuse in care survivors' claims, including who undertakes the review?

Hon Erica Stanford: I am advised that Senior Advisors in the Ministry's Sensitive Claims team prepare claim response packs, including a proposed settlement offer. Financial redress amounts are developed by comparing similar claims that have already been settled. Payment amounts are reviewed and endorsed by the Ministry’s Chief Legal Advisor. Claim responses and settlement offers undergo multiple levels of review within the Ministry's Sensitive Claims team and Legal team. The final decision-maker of a settlement offer is the Hautū | Deputy Secretary of Te Pae Aronui | Operations & Integration. As part of the Government's redress improvements, in 2026 an independent review process will be introduced for survivors who are unhappy with their offer of financial redress.