14 December 2020
Jo Unknown at FYI
[FYI request #14067 email]
REF: IR-01-20-33033
Dear Jo
I refer to your request of 1 November 2020 for the following information:
Regarding advertising at the England Roses v New Zealand Silver Ferns netball
series held in Hamilton:
1
"What the intended purpose of this advertising space is and what was the
cost of this billboard?"
Regarding social media posts about a lost teddy bear in Masterson and the New
Zealand Police's efforts to reunite it with its owner:
2
"What was the total number of staff involved in handling this teddy bear?
What are their salaries? How long was this teddy bear in Police
possession? Why are legitimate Police resources diverted from actual
work?
Regarding the Facebook post about a baby duck found in Waitemata:
3
"This appeared to be a lengthy operation. How long did this take? How
many staff were involved. Why did the Police not hand over to the
SPCA?"
Regarding funding requests:
4
"How many times NZ Police have asked any Member of Parliament,
Parliament itself, any minister or any other appropriate agency or
individual for increased staff or funding, particularly where a lack of
resources has been cited in the last 18 months".
My response is as follows:
1
"What the intended purpose of this advertising space is and what
was the cost of this billboard?"
New Zealand Police has a partnership with Netball New Zealand, which has
developed as part of our recruitment programme, as we are actively seeking
women to join Police. In 2020, Netball New Zealand were unable to hold a
number of contracted events which were part of our sponsorship agreement
due to Covid-19 as an allowance they provided us with some sponsorship
benefits.
Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.qovt.nz
New Zealand Police did not seek to have Police messaging at this Silver Ferns
match, it was a spare billboard placement which they offered to us free of charge.
New Zealand Police also paused its recruitment activity during 2020.
The annual cost of the partnership with Netball New Zealand is $60,000.
2
"What was the total number of staff involved in handling this teddy
bear? What are their salaries? How long was this teddy bear in
Police possession? Why are legitimate Police resources diverted
from actual work?
The teddy bear was found by the roadside on SH2 by a Police Officer in the
course of normal duties in the Wairarapa. It was kept at Masterton station as
found property (as is normal process).
The following day photos were taken and posted to Facebook (about 10
minutes). Facebook is an avenue for lost property.
Between finding the teddy bear and it being claimed, it was approximately 48
hours. Once the bear had been found (via Facebook) it was delivered to the
family the following day via another Police Officer who was returning to the
Hutt Valley from the Wairarapa.
In this case we were happy to have been able to personally deliver this lost
property to the family. This approach with the teddy bear was no different to lost
property, other than that photos were taken in a light hearted way.
Salaries of staff members is personal information so is not something we will
provide, under section 9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act 1982.
3
"This appeared to be a lengthy operation. How long did this take?
How many staff were involved. Why did the Police not hand over to
the SPCA?"
From the time of the duck being discovered on the roadside to it being reunited
with its family, it was a short period of time - no more than 10 minutes.
We did not take the duckling to the SPCA as we would not view that as
necessary for the situation. Instead the decision was made to get the duckling
moved to a safe place (a couple of streets away).
The only staff involved were the staff already in the area conducting the existing
enquiry.
4
"how many times NZ Police have asked any Member of Parliament,
Parliament itself, any minister or any other appropriate agency or
individual for increased staff or funding, particularly where a lack of
resources has been cited in the last 18 months".
In the last 18 months, New Zealand Police has requested funding 16 times for
additional staffing or resources (through budget process). These initiatives
represent increases in the functionality of Police and do not represent a lack
of resources.
There are other mediums to seek or enquire about funding (outside of the
budget bid process) however this part of your request has been refused
pursuant to section 18(f) of the Official Information Act 1982 as the information
requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
You have the right, under section 28 (3) of the Official Information Act 1982, to
ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied with the way I
have responded to your request.
Yours sincerely
Jane Archibald
Deputy Chief Executive Media & Communications
Police National Headquarters
