Ref: DOIA 2021-1203
4 February 2021
Kurt Jarrett
[FYI request #14316 email]
Dear Kurt
Thank you for your email of 16 December 2020 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(the Ministry), requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
On 9/11/2020 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said officials are set to visit the Cook Islands on
November 14 for face-to-face talks, with the goal of confirming a safe travel bubble.
On what date was each face to face talk in the Cook Islands.
On what date did each individual return to New Zealand and start their mandatory MIQ.
In regards to your first question, the information you have requested is not held by the Ministry. As per
our email of 18 December 2020, the Ministry has transferred this part of your request to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), in accordance with section 14 of the Act. This transfer is occurring
because the Ministry believes that the information requested is more closely aligned with the functions
of MFAT.
In response to your second question, the officials returned to New Zealand on 21 November 2020, and
went into Managed Isolation.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Christina Sophocleous-Jones
General Manager National Operations Services
Managed Isolation and Quarantine