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25 March 2025
Miss W. Forest
[FYI request #30290 email]
Ref: PMO OIA 324-2024-25
Dear Miss Forest,
Official Information Act request: Lunch past week
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request, received on 4 March 2025. You
requested:
Dear Prime Minister Christopher Luxon,
Please provide the details of what lunch (cost and what was the lunch) you've consumed past
week as the prime minister, including through the meal allowance.
In addition please provide any other e.g. evening meals that are part of ministerial allowance.
Also please confirm how many apples have you eaten past week before this OIA.
I am refusing your request as it does not meet the definition of Official Information. This is not
information held by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, in his official capacity.
However, in the spirit of Act I can confirm all Members of the Executive, are entitled to financial
resources and support services so they can fulfil their duties efficiently and effectively. These
entitlements are set out under the provisions of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and
Services) Act 20
131 and are determined variously by the Remuneration Authority, the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, and the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services.
Since 2002, all MPs have been entitled to a tax-free basic expense allowance intended to cover
out-of-pocket expenses that arise from that recipient’s official duties and any activity undertaken by
the recipient for a parliamentary purpose.
1 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0093/latest/DLM4034223.html
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The allowance may include the following:
• entertainment of visitors, staff, constituents, and officials;
• fees, including memberships and sponsorships;
• koha, donations, and raffle tickets;
• gifts and prizes;
• flowers (excluding wreaths for public commemorative events);
• passport photos;
• briefcases and luggage; and
• meals.
Members of the Executive are also able to receive an evening meal (up to the value of $80
including beverages) if travelling outside of their primary residence on Ministerial business. This is
provided for under s3.1 of the Ministers’ Travel Services within New Zealand Determination 2023,
which is set by the Minister Responsible for Ministerial Services.
The Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) is required under legislation to release
expenses on Ministers’ spending and that can be viewed on the Department’s websit
e2. In
particular, the Ministerial credit card expenses may provide you with some information regarding
meals purchased by the Prime Minister.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
Yours sincerely
Cameron Burrows
Chief of Staff
2 https://www.dia.govt.nz/Ministers-expense-releases
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