28 June 2022
Luke
[FYI request #19493 email]
Tēnā koe Luke
Your Official Information Act request of 28 May 2022
Thank you for your email of 28 May 2022 requesting the following information under the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Please release all advice given to the Minister on why a co-governance structure is
necessary to improve water quality for all New Zealanders.
Please release the advice given to the Minister on why a co-governance structure in
the Three Waters reforms is justified.
Please release any concerns presented to the Minister regarding co-governance and
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(ICERD), and the Minister's response.
Please release any advice/reports presented to the Minister regarding co-governance
in Three Waters and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
Please explain why Iwi/Māori are justified in controlling 50% of water assets when
they only represent 16% of the population.
Please explain why Iwi/Māori have a greater interest in water quality compared to all
New Zealanders.
I am extending the time available to respond to your request under sections 15A(1)(a) and (b)
of the Act, as your request necessitates a search through a large quantity of information and
involves consultations necessary to make a decision on the request such that a proper
response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
The timeframe has been extended by 25 working days. My response will now be provided to
you by 2 August 2022, however, I will endeavour to provide you with the decision prior to this
date if at all possible.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman
and seek an investigation and review of my decision to extend the deadline for a response.
The contact address is: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Alternatively, you can phone 0800 802 602 or email
[email address].
Nāku noa
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minister of Local Government