Information gathered from a politician's taxpayer funded trip to New Zealand has been "put to good use".
That's according to the Department of Health and Social Care - yesterday it was put under the spotlight during a Social Affairs Policy Review Committee hearing:
Committee chair David Cretney raised the issue - in March 2015 former Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle, and his then chief executive Mark Charters, made the trip.
The duo was reviewing the health service there - in particular the Canterbury model.
Chief executive, and successor, Malcolm Couch says he believes the information gained makes up part of the current health strategy:
Number of post offices to temporarily close for a day
Minister says she can't provide update on NSC floor tiles
Afternoon ferry is next to be cancelled by weather
Difficult to compare Island's Hospice funding with UK, says minister
Mountain Road to close because of gales
New amber warning issued for tonight's storm
Police appeal over theft of building materials
One of capital's oldest buildings may become housing
