The Symonds St office was one of the three, but not the one officials initially favoured. “This option was originally our recommendation, however, the chairman has advised this doesn’t meet his requirements due to the privacy concerns.”The Symonds St office was recommended instead. ‘This isn’t the SIS’This week, the ministry confirmed the Symonds St lease would now end in May, rather than September. Ministry deputy secretary, policy Caroline Greaney said as at December 31, the 389sq m Symonds St office was the usual place of work for three staff members and Kaushal. The documents obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union show the total cost for the Symonds St office in 2025/26 was $131,000, when other expenses such as power were factored in.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 15, 2026 05:22 UTC