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Julian Jackson
[FYI request #33338 email]
10 March 2026
Tēnā koe Julian
OIA: GEMS-46748 – Ministerial Advisory Groups, their Terms of Reference,
allocated budget for 2023/24 – 2024/25, and other expenditures to date
Thank you for your email of 20 December 2025 to the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) requesting the following information:
Regarding ministerial advisory groups established since the formation of the
current coalition government (National, ACT, and New Zealand First) following
the 2023 general election:
1. A complete list of all ministerial advisory groups formed since 27 November
2023, including their official titles, responsible ministers, and terms of
reference.
2. For each such group, please provide:
a) The total allocated budget (including any revisions) for the group’s
operations for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
b) A breakdown and the totals of actual expenditures to date, including but
not limited to: payments or honoraria to members, catering and venue
costs, administrative or secretariat support, travel and accommodation,
and any other operational expenses.
c) Copies of any Cabinet papers, funding approvals, or internal budgeting
documents authorizing the group’s financial resourcing.
This request follows recent public reports indicating significant spending by
some advisory groups—for example, nearly $24,000 on catering for meetings of
the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime—and growing public
interest in transparency around such expenditures
As you are aware, your request has been partially transferred to relevant Ministers.
Because Minister Stanford holds the Education portfolio, your request was sent to
Wellington – National Office, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140
Phone: +64 4 463 8000
education.govt.nz
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her office on 2 February 2026 and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of
Education (the Ministry) on 10 February 2026. The information request is related to
the following Ministerial Advisory Groups:
1. Ministerial Advisory Group to review the English and Mathematics &
Statistics learning areas for Years 0-10
2. School Property Ministerial Advisory Group
3. Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
The Ministry needs to extend the timeframe for responding to your request, pursuant
to section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as consultations necessary to make a decision on the
request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the
original time limit. You can now expect to receive a response to your request on or
before 16 April 2026, which is an extension of 25 working days.
You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision on your request, in
accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152,
Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Lucy Jordan
Senior Advisor, Ministerial Services
Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate
education.govt.nz
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