Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill

Members, the House is in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill.

The Government has indicated that the Minister for Social Development and Employment, the Minister of Health, the Minister for Energy, and the Minister for Resources will be available today to speak to their portfolios. Leading off the debate, the chairperson of the relevant select committee should take care not to be overly political and should ensure their call gives a fair reflection of the select committee’s report on the votes relevant to the portfolio.

This debate expires after 11 hours, at which point the questions will be put that the votes stand part of the schedules and on the provision of the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill. There are 4 hours and two minutes remaining in this debate. New Zealand National has 48 minutes remaining. New Zealand Labour has one hour and 14 minutes remaining. The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has 36 minutes remaining. ACT New Zealand has 48 minutes remaining. New Zealand First has 37 minutes remaining. Te Pāti Māori has 16 minutes remaining, Tākuta Ferris has three minutes remaining, and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has no time remaining.

The Estimates debate should be relevant to the Government’s current spending plans, as contained in the Estimates of Appropriations. The question again is that the votes contained in the Estimates of Appropriations for 2026-27 stand part of the schedules.

Members, we start with the Minister for Social Development and Employment. The Minister is available to speak to the portfolio from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. I call Joseph Mooney, chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee.

Committee of the whole House—Estimates Debate

Social Development and Employment