133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
Virginia Crawford
By email: [FYI request #14580 email]
Ref:
H202100542
Dear Virginia Crawford
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 30 January 2021
for:
“In 2017 New Zealand purchased 23,140 Kg of "test kits" with a total value of
US$92,221.86.
Practically every country in the world also purchased these test kits.
The product code was 300215.
Could you please let me know
(1) what the exact labelling was on these test kits?
(2) what was the rationale behind purchasing these test kits at that time?”
The Ministry of Health does not hold any information pertaining to the above referenced test kits
imported into New Zealand during 2017. Therefore, your request is refused under section 18(g)
of the Act. Please be advised that such test kits are medical devices and are not required under
the Medicines Act 1981, to be assessed and approved before importation. They are also
exempt from the requirement to notify the Web Assisted Notification of Devices, which is a
Medsafe operated database.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision
to refuse your request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Nick Allan
Manager OIA Services
Office of the Director-General