58667 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education

58667 (2025). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education: Is the Ministry of Education maintaining a register of schools and early learning services that are managing asbestos exposure risks and/or removal of asbestos-containing sand; if not, why?

Hon Erica Stanford: Under health and safety legislation, schools and early learning services are the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU). They are required to manage any risks to health and safety including exposure risks to asbestos. Therefore, the Ministry of Education is not maintaining a register of schools and early learning services that are managing asbestos exposure risks and/or removal of asbestos-containing sand, as they are not required to report this to the Ministry. I am advised that the Ministry maintains a record of schools and early learning services that have voluntarily informed the Ministry that they are testing for, and managing, asbestos in coloured sand.