This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Application of Crown Entities Code of Conduct Neutrality ACC Chair'.


 
 
 
Mr Harris Leigh 
[FYI request #21975 email]  
27 March 2023
 
 
Dear Mr Leigh 
 
 
Official Information Request  
Reference MOIA 2023-0043 
I refer to your official information request dated 2 March 2023 where you asked:  
“Under the OIA I seek copies of any information you hold relating to the application of 
the Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Members 
(https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidan.
..) to the writings of the current Chair of the 
ACC.  
I also seek any information held relating to comments by the ACC Chair such as:  
"The previous National government had to deal with an unanticipated event of their own 
in the form of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. They got the books back in balance but 
at the cost of ignoring almost everything else. " And "Labour is the battle-hardened team 
that can get the job done." https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic... 
 
"In other words, if it is change voters want, they need look no further than the current 
Government." https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic... 
 
"This is where Trump, Johnson, Morrison, and other assorted clowns come into play" 
[referring to conservative leaders of the USA, UK and Australia] 
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/30064184...
  
I also seek any information you might hold on whether the preponderance of political 
comments by a Crown Entity board member may create an impression of political 
partisanship even if any one comment is excusable”.  

Response 
As at the date of your request, I did not hold any information regarding the application of the 
Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Members in respect of the writings of the ACC Board Chair, 
Hon Steve Maharey.  Accordingly, I have refused your request under section 18(e) of the 
Of icial Information Act 1982 on the grounds that the information requested does not exist. 
However, on 6 March 2023 I requested advice on the appropriateness of Mr Maharey’s opinion 
pieces and any other similar public commentary by him, from the Public Service Commissioner 
(Commissioner) and asked what, if any, action might be taken.  
Please find outlined in the table below the advice I received from the Public Service 
Commissioner on 7 March  2023, which is publicly available on Te Kawa Mataaho Public 
Service Commission’s website at the link provided in the table.   
 


Date 
Document Description 
Website Address 
7 March 2023 
Political Neutrality Advice 
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/DirectoryF
ile/Political-Neutrality-Advice.pdf  
 
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact Christina Connolly @ 
[email address] 
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. 
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz  or 
freephone 0800 802 602. 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
 
Hon Andrew Little MP 
Minister for the Public Service 
 
 

Document Outline