17 August 2020
Alan Thompson
[FYI request #13380 email]
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0072
Dear Mr Thompson
Official Information Act request relating to a formal inquiry into the eruption on
Whakaari/White Island referenced in CAB-19-MIN-0692
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
received on 10 August 2020. You requested:
“Thank you for the response to my OIA Request but you have not addressed the
information that I requested. You advised that "No decision on the proposal had
been made" and therefore the information I requested did not exist. I did not ask
for information relating to whether a decision had been made, I requested the
documentation that related to the decision for Cabinet to consider in relation to a
formal inquiry as referred to in Cabinet Minute Item 5. This is likely to have
included some discussion and a recommendation to Cabinet. I believe that you
have two options then: 1. To provide the documentation as presented back to
Cabinet in the New Year relating to a decision re a formal inquiry (whether or not
they made any decision); or 2. To advise that no information or recommendation
was presented to Cabinet as per Item 5 and therefore the documentation does
not exist (for that reason). Can you please review your response and advise in
accordance with either 1. or 2. as above.”
I believe that the information you have requested is more closely connected to the
functions of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. Accordingly, I have decided
under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act to transfer your request to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has 20 working days from receipt of this transfer to make a decision
on your request.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Corbett
Manager, Ministerial and Legal Services
4283366
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz