Official Information Act Request

Nessy-Rose made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

The request was successful.

From: Nessy-Rose

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

Under the Official Information Act 1982. My request pertains to the processing of Parent Category Resident Visas by Immigration New Zealand. Specifically, I am seeking information on the following points:

1. The total number of case officers currently allocated to processing Parent Category Resident Visas as of 20th March 2024.
2. The branch of Immigration New Zealand that is currently assigned the task of assessing and processing these visas.
3. The total number of Parent Category Visas accepted for processing by INZ as of 20th March 2024.
4. The current age date (in days) of visas from the date of 'lodgement acceptance' before being allocated to a case officer.
5. An organisational chart for the complete structure of Immigration New Zealand by branch, including employee names and titles.
6.The average time taken for a medical referral to be performed post-lodgement acceptance, and clarification on whether this referral is initiated at the time of acceptance of lodgement by a support officer or if it is carried out by the case officer at the time of allocation.

I understand that under the Official Information Act 1982, my request should be responded to as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not later than 20 working days from the day my request is received. However, if it is within your means to expedite the processing of this request, I would greatly appreciate your efforts to do so. The information requested is of particular interest and urgency to me and your swift response would be highly valued.

Yours faithfully,

Nessy-Rose

Link to this

From: Ministerial Services
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment


Attachment image001.jpg
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Ref: 2324-2064

 

Kia ora Nessy-Rose

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 20 March 2024 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

‘Under the Official Information Act 1982. My request pertains to the
processing of Parent Category Resident Visas by Immigration New Zealand.
Specifically, I am seeking information on the following points:

 

1. The total number of case officers currently allocated to processing
Parent Category Resident Visas as of 20th March 2024.

2. The branch of Immigration New Zealand that is currently assigned the
task of assessing and processing these visas.

3. The total number of Parent Category Visas accepted for processing by
INZ as of 20th March 2024.

4. The current age date (in days) of visas from the date of 'lodgement
acceptance' before being allocated to a case officer.

5. An organisational chart for the complete structure of Immigration New
Zealand by branch, including employee names and titles.

6.The average time taken for a medical referral to be performed
post-lodgement acceptance, and clarification on whether this referral is
initiated at the time of acceptance of lodgement by a support officer or
if it is carried out by the case officer at the time of allocation.

 

I understand that under the Official Information Act 1982, my request
should be responded to as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case
not later than 20 working days from the day my request is received.
However, if it is within your means to expedite the processing of this
request, I would greatly appreciate your efforts to do so. The information
requested is of particular interest and urgency to me and your swift
response would be highly valued.’

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 19 April 2024, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe.  If you have any enquiries
regarding your request feel free to contact us via email to
[1][MBIE request email].

 

 

Nâku noa, nâ

 

Ministerial Services Business Advisory

Communications, Design & Ministerial Services

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

15 Stout Street, Wellington, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140

[2]www.mbie.govt.nz

[3]image

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[MBIE request email]
2. http://www.mbie.govt.nz/
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/

Link to this

From: INZ OIAs
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment


Attachment image002.png
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Attachment DOIA 2324 2064 Nessy Rose Extension letter.pdf
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Kia ora Nessy-Rose

 

Please find the attached extension letter regarding your Official
Information Act request.

 

Ngā mihi,

Lino

 

Ministerial Services

Associate Deputy Secretary Immigration Branch, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140,
New Zealand

 

NZBN 9429000106078

 

Link to this

From: Nessy-Rose

Dear INZ,

Thank you for your communication for an extension of the time for my Official Information Act request, Ref: 2324-2064 which was lodged on the 20th March 2024.

I would like to express my concerns regarding the extension until 26 April 2024. The Official Information Act 1982 under section 15A allows for an extension of time limits if consultations necessary to make a decision are such that a proper response cannot be made within the original time period. Nevertheless, it also stipulates that this should only be the case when the extent of the consultations necessary makes it reasonably necessary.

Given the nature of the information requested:

*The total number of officers allocated to a specific visa processing task,
*Basic operational data of a branch within Immigration New Zealand,
*Statistical data on visa applications accepted,
*Process timelines for medical referrals,

I believe the information should readily be available within the operational datasets maintained by Immigration New Zealand and not require extensive consultation that impedes a timely response. Given this should be available readily, I do not understand why this has not been fulfilled in the timeframe already passed.

Therefore, I request a re-evaluation of the necessity for such an extension. Could you please provide specific reasons why these particular pieces of information require such consultations? Understanding more about the complexities involved may help clarify the situation for me.

Furthermore, if a full response by the new deadline is unattainable, could partial information be released progressively as it becomes available before the extended timeframe?

Should we not reach a satisfactory resolution, I may consider seeking an investigation and review by the Ombudsman as provided under section 28(3) of the Act. However, my preference is to resolve this matter directly with your office.

Yours sincerely,

Nessy-Rose

Link to this

From: INZ OIAs
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment


Attachment DOIA 2324 2064 Nessy Rose Appendix.pdf
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Kia ora Nessy-Rose

Thank you for your email, we note your concerns with the extension of the timeframe.

The information you have requested has required consultation with our data teams, but we acknowledge that this should not unnecessarily delay making a decision on your request. We can advise that we are now in a position to advise the decision on your request.

We have decided to grant your request in part.

Your request for the average time it takes for a medical referral to be performed post-lodgement acceptance is refused under section 18(g) of the Act as INZ does not record what stage in the application process the medical referral takes place, and there are no grounds to believe that the information is either held by or connected more closely with the functions of another department or interdepartmental venture or Minister of the Crown or organisation or of a local authority.

Noting your request for a partial release of information, we are partially releasing information within scope of this part of your request: An organisational chart for the complete structure of Immigration New Zealand by branch, including employee names and titles. Please find this attached.

We intend to respond to the remaining parts of your request before the extended due date and thank you for your patience.

Ngā mihi,
Lino

Ministerial Services
Associate Deputy Secretary Immigration Branch, Immigration New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Level 1, 15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: INZ OIAs
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment


Attachment image002.png
26K Download

Attachment DOIA 2324 2064 Nessy Rose Response letter.pdf
216K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Nessy-Rose

 

Please find attached the response to your Official Information Act
request.

 

Ngā mihi,

Lino

 

Ministerial Services

Associate Deputy Secretary Immigration Branch, Immigration New Zealand

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Level 1, 15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140,
New Zealand

 

NZBN 9429000106078

 

Link to this

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