54626 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Prime Minister

54626 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Prime Minister: Was the Prime Minister advised at any point of potential or perceived conflicts of interest relating to the Minister of Housing’s involvement in the transfer of Kāinga Ora funding to support the Melling Bridge project, and if so, what action, if any, was taken?

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon: I am advised that the Hon Chris Bishop did not make a specific request to the Cabinet Office for conflict-of-interest advice relating to the city link bridge decision. Shortly after his appointment as Minister of Transport, he received advice from the Cabinet Office that he could make decisions on the Melling interchange as Minister, putting aside his role as Member of Parliament. The Hon Bishop has stated that he acted in accordance with that advice in making the city link bridge decision and didn’t consider that he needed further advice from the Cabinet Office. He is confident that he acted in accordance with Cabinet Manual guidance.