57715 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Internal Affairs

57715 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What are the holiday shut down dates, if any, for the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, during the 2025-26 holiday period?

Hon Brooke van Velden: Department of Internal Affairs: I am advised by the Department of Internal Affairs that their shutdown period is from Thursday 25 December 2025 to Wednesday 7 January 2026. However, the Department continues to operate core services such as processing identity products (passports), Chauffeurs, and Taupō Harbourmaster. Film Classification Office: The Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act establish non-working days for the 2025-2026 holiday period as a day in the period commencing with 25 December in any year and ending with 15 January in the following year. However, the Office is open, and staff will be available and working from 5 January 2025. As such the Office is closed from 25 December 2025 and reopens on 5 January 2026. Lotto NZ: The last day Lotto NZ’s office will be open will be on 23 December 2025. It will reopen on 5 January 2026. Lotto continues to operate the draw through the holiday period, and all essential staff remain rostered on when the office is closed. Fire and Emergency NZ: Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s National Headquarters (NHQ) will be closed from 24 December 2025 and will reopen on 5 January 2026. Regions will be made aware of this closedown and will adapt depending on the needs of the Region and District operational requirements at their discretion.