OIA20-0170
Wendy Olsen
[FYI request #12557 email]
Dear Wendy Olsen
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
Thank you for your email of 1 April 2020 requesting information relating to funding for
the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated
(SPCA). Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA).
You requested the following:
Details of funding provided to the New Zealand SPCA in 2019 (including the
funding agreement) under current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Details for funding (alongside funding agreements), for the years 2017 and
2018 under the previous Memorandum of Understanding (dated December
2010), which provides funding for the training of inspectors alongside the
MAF/RNZSPCA Funding Agreement
The Government has increased funding for the SPCA’s and the Ministry for Primary
Industries’ (MPI) animal welfare compliance and enforcement functions. The
increased funding was included in the Budget 2019 announcements on 30 May
2019.The Government also continues to introduce new animal welfare regulations to
ensure MPI and the SPCA are able to enforce compliance with animal welfare
legislation
MPI also provides funding to the SPCA solely for compliance and enforcement
purposes. This includes funding for animal welfare inspectors and auxiliary officers,
who are appointed under the Animal Welfare Act. Their primary focus is to investigate
cruelty, abuse, neglect and abandonment in companion animals.
Compliance and Governance
Compliance Services
Charles Fergusson Building, 34-38 Bowen Street
Wel ington 6140, New Zealand
mpi.govt.nz
Please find the response to your request below:
1.
Details of funding provided to the New Zealand SPCA in 2019 (including the
funding agreement) under current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
For January to July 2019, MPI paid the SPCA $220,000 plus GST =$253,000.
This was the last payment under the old funding agreement and MOU signed in 2010
by both MPI and the SPCA.
2.
Details for funding (alongside funding agreements), for the years 2017 and
2018 under the previous Memorandum of Understanding (dated December
2010), which provides funding for the training of inspectors alongside the
MAF/RNZSPCA Funding Agreement
This was under the old funding agreement for both years. The following amount was
paid to the SPCA per annum:
$300,000 plus GST for the programme – this funding is to operate as an
organisation approved by the Minister to carry out Animal Welfare enforcement
activities predominantly in relation to companion animals. Please refer to
schedules one and two of the 2010 funding agreement for further details of the
programme.
$25,000 plus GST for Inspectorate workshops.
$115,000 plus GST for Inspectorate training new officers.
MPI is also releasing the following documents to you in full:
The MOU from 2010;
The MOU from 2019;
SPCA Funding Agreement 2010.
The 2019 SPCA Funding Agreement has been withheld under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of
the OIA,
to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect
the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown, as this document
has not yet been signed by both parties.
You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek an investigation and review
by the Ombudsman of our decision.
Yours sincerely
Gary Orr
Director, Compliance Services
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