58567 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Health

58567 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Health: How much, if any, has the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, budgeted on christmas, holiday, end of year, and any other types of celebratory functions or parties during November and December in 2025?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that the Ministry of Health has budgeted $10,000 on Christmas, holiday and end of year functions or parties during November and December 2025. I am further advised that as at 19 December 2025, the Ministry spent $3,132.64 (excl. GST) on such functions. I note that this budget is lower than the actual spend on Christmas, holiday, end-of-year, and other celebratory functions during November and December 2021, and significantly lower than the $39,262.22 plus GST spent on a Chief Executive’s farewell under the previous government. My expectation is that agencies avoid wasteful expenditure at all times and achieve value for money. I am further advised that Health New Zealand allows $15 per person, for food and venue – not including alcohol. Many events are on site, so there is no venue cost. I am advised that information on actual spend is not captured under one account code, and to obtain that information would require substantial manual collation.