This request is currently being reviewed by the Ombudsman as I believe it was a reasonable request.

I will post an update once I have a result.

The complaint to the Ombudsman was upheld, and Oranga Tamariki came back with the following:

Tēnā koe Mr Lance Watson

On 10 February 2021, Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children (Oranga Tamariki) responded your request for the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):

- Could you please provide the total cost to the Ministry of hiring New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters over the most recent financial year
- Could you please provides the average hourly cost of these services to the Ministry

At the time, your request was refused in full under section 18(f) of the Act, as it was determined that providing the requested information would required substantial manual collation.

Following a complaint made to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Ministry has looked into the matter and has been able to collate the requested information. We apologise for our response of 10 February 2021, incorrectly engaging section 18(f) of the Act.

Please find the requested information outlined below.

From our financial records, the total cost to the Ministry of hiring New Zealand Sign Language interpreters is $635.50, for the 2020/21 Financial Year.

The average hourly cost of these services to the Ministry is $127.10.

If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact OIA_Requests@ot.govt.nz.

If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review this decision. Information about this is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by contacting them on 0800 802 602.

Nakū noa, nā

I would be keen to have a conversation with Lance Watson about use of sig language interpreters by Oranga Tamariki services (or should I say, lack of use)