133 Molesworth Street 
PO Box 5013 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
T+64 4 496 2000 
 
 
 
20 August 2020 
 
 
 
T.R.A.O Speedy 
 
By email:   
[FYI request #13532 email] 
Ref:  
 
H202006222 
 
 
Dear T.R.A.O Speedy 
 
Response to your request for official information 
 
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 17 August 2020 
for: 
 
“I would like to know out of all COVID-19 deaths in New Zealand, how many of these had 
a pre-existing medical condition at their time of death” 
 
Eleven of the 22 COVID-19 deaths had an underlying condition reported. This is outlined in the 
24 July 2020 Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) summary report which is 
publicly available on the ESR website: https://esr2.cwp.govt.nz/assets/files/Intel-reports-COVID-
19/24-July/ESR0865-Monthly-Covid-report-published-6-August-2020-vs-2.pdf. 
 
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to 
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
 
 
Nick Allan 
Manager OIA Services 
Office of the Director-General 
 
 
 
 

---