2 October 2020
Stephanie Johnstone
By email:
[FYI request #13676 email]
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0139
Dear Stephanie Johnstone
Official Information Act request relating to Cabinet advice regarding children with a
non-New Zealand national parent
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received by the Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 5 September 2020. You requested:
“Please provide copies of all advice considered by Cabinet pertaining to the rights of and/or
wellbeing considerations relating to New Zealand children who are currently indefinitely
prevented from seeing one of their parents as a result of the government‘s prohibition on the
entry of non New Zealand citizens...”
I have decided under section 15A of the Act to extend the time limit for deciding on your request by
an additional 15 working days. The extension is required because further consultations are needed
to make a decision on your request. Despite the extension, a response will be sent to you as soon as
possible.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section 28(3)
of the Act.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Corbett
Manager, Ministerial and Legal Services
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4302710
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz