9 October 2019
Hugh Davenport
[FYI request #11282 email]
REF: OIA-5863
Dear Hugh
Extension of time to respond to request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 24 September 2019 requesting the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
‘I read recently that NZTA and the Waikato Regional Council are putting in around $700,000
per year in order to provide a living wage of $21.15 to bus drivers who are members of First
Union.
As the NZTA is a central authority, I find it a bit concerning that the NZTA is providing wages
for employees of a private company (Go Bus Limited), though I definitely do see value in
encouraging more drivers given the national skill shortage in the industry.
I would like to request the following information:
- The exact yearly figure that NZTA is contributing for the Waikato bus drivers
- How many years that NZTA will be contributing
- How are any increases or decreases to that amount decided
- How is the money distributed (ie, does NZTA pay Go Bus Limited directly, or is there an
escrow)
- All correspondence with Go Bus Limited in regards to the bus driver pay dispute.
- All correspondence with Waitkato Regional Council in regards to the bus driver pay dispute
In addition, I would like to request the following information:
- For all other private bus companies in New Zealand that NZTA contributes funds to, the
amount of money that NZTA is contributing for the purpose of increasing driver pay rates
- For all other public transport organisations (for example, Auckland Transport, Metlink/Greater
Wellington Regional Council) that NZTA contributes funds to, the amount of money that NZTA
is contributing for the purpose of increasing driver pay rates
- For all bus driver union organisations in New Zealand that NZTA contributes funds to, the
amount of money that NZTA is contributing for the purpose of increasing driver pay rates
- For all private bus companies, public transport organisations, or bus driver union
organisations in New Zealand, all correspondence between NZTA and that organisation in
regards to driver pay disputes.
Further, I would like to request information on any upcoming pay dispute settlements involving
NZTA around New Zealand.
Finally, if there are no other organisations that NZTA are providing funds to, or in the planning
process of providing funds to, then I would like to request a bit of information on how NZTA is
providing the entire country with value with this agreement with First Union and/or Waikato
Regional Council and/or Go Bus Limited.’
This letter is to advise you that the NZ Transport Agency is extending the 20 working days available to
respond to your request, as allowed for under section 15A of the Act. We require an additional 15
working days to respond to your request. We will send you a response on or before 13 November
2019.
The deadline is being extended because of the large quantity of information you have requested.
Locating, collating and copying this information will take more than the 20 working day limit.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to
extend this request. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be located at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
If you would like to discuss the extension with the Transport Agency, please email
[email address]
Yours sincerely
Leisa Coley
Manager, Ministerial Services
