Lessons Learnt Whakaari/White Island
Alan Thompson made this Official Information request to Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The request was successful.
From: Alan Thompson
Dear Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
I am advised that DPMC has engaged LessonNZ community of practice to collate and assess key overarching themes and lessons identified during the National Security System activation for the Whakaari event.
Under the provisions of the Official Information Act I request a copy of the LessonNZ report to DPMC resulting from this assignment.
Yours faithfully,
Alan Thompson
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Tēnā koe
Thank you for emailing the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet (DPMC), including the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA).
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about the statutory OIA timeframes please see
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New Zealand. Please see - [15]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.
We hope one of the above links helps answer your question.
We appreciate your patience at this time. Thanks again and please take
care.
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[IN-CONFIDENCE]
Kia ora
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which was received on 24 February 2021, copied below. A response will be provided in accordance with the Act.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) may publish the response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.
When you are provided with a response to this request, you will be informed about whether the response to your OIA request will be published. If DPMC does publish the response to your OIA request, personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed. This publication process does not apply to extension letters or transfers.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [DPMC request email]
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
[AF[1]For use during summer period
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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DPMCOIA Extension OIA 2020 21 0400 Thompson Whakaari LessonNZ Alan Thompson.pdf
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
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1. mailto:[DPMC request email]
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Mr Thompson
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received
on 24 February 2021. You requested:
“I am advised that DPMC has engaged LessonNZ community of practice to
collate and assess key overarching themes and lessons identified during
the National Security System activation for the Whakaari event. Under the
provisions of the Official Information Act I request a copy of the
LessonNZ report to DPMC resulting from this assignment.”
In a letter dated 23 March 2021, we sought an extension under section 15A
of the Act by 20 working days because it necessitated consultations to be
undertaken before a decision could be made on the request. The response
is due you today.
I am emailing to advise that there will a short delay in providing our
response to you. I apologise for this delay and will keep you updated.
Thank you for your patience.
Ngâ mihi
Ministerial Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[1]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
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From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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DPMCOIA Reply OIA 2020 21 0400 Thompson Whakaari LessonNZ Alan Thompson.pdf
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4364858 DPMCOIA2020 21 0400 Release document.PDF.pdf
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
References
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1. mailto:[DPMC request email]
From: Alan Thompson
Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
Dear Sir,
You have advised that to support the preparation of the LessonNZ report DPMC held debrief sessions on 25 and 27 February 2020 with agencies involved in response and recovery relating to Whakaari.
However, on Page 6 and again on Page 13 of the report it states that “In mid-December 2019 Government Agencies were asked to submit their reviews, debriefs and feedback from the Whakaari/White Island event, to LessonNZ, to inform an analysis of the all-of-government response to the event.
1. Please confirm whether the data capture in preparing the report was as stated on Pages 6 and 13 of the report or was it as you quite differently state in this OIA response.
Further to my OIA Request:
2. Please provide copies of the communication that went out to participating agencies inviting them to the meetings on 25 and 27 of February as advised in your OIA response and a list of the agencies that attended each of the debriefs; and
3. Please provide a copy of the communication(s) that went out to agencies in mid December 2019 requesting that they submit their reviews, debriefs and feedback from the Whakaari/White Island event to LessonNZ (as stated in the report).
Thank you.
Alan Thompson
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Tēnā koe
Thank you for emailing the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet (DPMC), including the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA).
Please note, DPMC is not able to respond to emails that are
outside its purview. If the subject of your email does not relate to the
work of DPMC, we will forward your email to the appropriate Minister
or agency who will respond to you directly. To find out more about the
functions of DPMC please view our website - [1]https://dpmc.govt.nz/
If your correspondence is intended for the Prime Minister please email her
office at - [2][email address]. Contact information for other
Members of Parliament can be found at
- [3]https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
If you are writing about an issue relating to COVID-19, we encourage you
to first refer to the [4]COVID-19 website. Here’s a list of links that you
may find helpful:
o [5]Current Alert Level
o [6]Latest Government COVID-19 information
o [7]Jobs, training and financial support
o [8]Travel and the border
o [9]Mental wellbeing, accessing health care and violence protection
o [10]Information for businesses
o [11]Proactive release of Government Response documents
o [12]Managed Isolation and Quarantine
If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please call your local GP or
contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453
Common Questions:
* Official Information Act (OIA) Requests will be formally acknowledged
during office hours and actioned accordingly. For more information
about the statutory OIA timeframes please see
- [13]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/.
* For Job opportunities within DPMC please see
- [14]https://centralagenciesjobs.cass.govt.nz.... Please use
this website to apply for vacancies, unfortunately resumes received
through other avenues will not be considered.
* New Zealand Visas and requests for asylum are managed by Immigration
New Zealand. Please see - [15]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.
We hope one of the above links helps answer your question.
We appreciate your patience at this time. Thanks again and please take
care.
show quoted sections
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[IN-CONFIDENCE]
Kia ora
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which
was received on 25 June 2021, copied below. A response will be provided in
accordance with the Act.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) may publish the
response to your Official Information Act (OIA) request.
When you are provided with a response to this request, you will be
informed about whether the response to your OIA request will be published.
If DPMC does publish the response to your OIA request, personal
information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.
This publication process does not apply to extension letters or transfers.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
show quoted sections
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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DPMCOIA Extension OIA 2020 21 0704 Thompson Whakaari LessoNZ follow up Alan Thompson.pdf
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
References
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1. mailto:[DPMC request email]
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Alan Thompson
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0704
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received
on 25 June 2021. You requested:
1. “Please confirm whether the data capture in preparing the report was
as stated on Pages 6 and 13 of the report or was it as you quite
differently state in this OIA response.
2. Please provide copies of the communication that went out to
participating agencies inviting them to the meetings on 25 and 27 of
February as advised in your OIA response and a list of the agencies
that attended each of the debriefs; and
3. Please provide a copy of the communication(s) that went out to
agencies in mid December 2019 requesting that they submit their
reviews, debriefs and feedback from the Whakaari/White Island event to
LessonNZ (as stated in the report).”
The information you have requested relating to question two of your
request contains the names and contact details for a large number of staff
from various agencies. Please let us know by Tuesday 3 August 2021 whether
you require these names and contact details. We may need to consult those
staff and/or the relevant agencies before deciding whether we can release
this information, and this may take a bit more time. If we do not hear
from you we will assume that you do not require staff names and contact
details.
Ngâ mihi
Ministerial Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
From: Alan Thompson
Dear Information [DPMC],
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0704
I confirm that I do not need to know/wish to know the names and contact details of any personnel with respect to the information that I requested.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Thompson
From: Information [DPMC]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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Thompson.pdf
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4413646 DPMCOIA 2020 21 0704 Release documents.PDF.pdf
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[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora koe,
Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E [1][DPMC request email]
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[DPMC request email]
From: Alan Thompson
19th August 2021
Mr Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive
National Security Group
Dept of PM and Cabinet
Dear Mr Lynch
Ref: OIA Request OIA-2020/21 -0704
In your response to my OIA querying advice you have given you have stated that "There is no inconsistency between these two positions" and that "Both are correct". This refers to my question as to why there were two quite different statements with regard to how the LessonsNZ report on the Whakaari eruption response was researched.
The LessonsNZ report stated that this was achieved with a request in mid-December to the agencies involved to submit their reviews, debriefs and feedback. This statement was contradicted by your OIA response on the 25th of June which stated that the data was gathered via "debrief sessions held on the 25th and 27th of February 2020". You now claim that it was "both" and that "there is no inconsistency".
We now have three DPMC documents with each one stating a different basis of the data for the review. One claims it was a collection of documents from mid December 2019, the other claims it was from two debrief sessions held in Feb 2020 and you now claim that it was both. Quite how you can not see the contradiction and inconsistency in these statements is difficult to understand. I remain hopeful that there will be an inquiry into the management of the response to the Whakaari Island eruption and that these matters will further considered. It may be timely for you to issue corrections to these contradictory statements as I suggest they bring into question the integrity of the LessonsNZ report.
For the record, and any future inquiry, I would also like to note your advice that DPMC held debrief sessions where 22 agencies were invited to attend but that no minutes of the meeting were taken or those who actually attended were recorded. You will appreciate that this is most unusual and seriously questions the credibility of the meetings (and/or your advice). That you would gather up to 22 agencies together and undertake a debrief on such an important matter without any formal records of the meeting simply defies belief. You have attempted to work out who was at the debrief meetings based on "gathered and collated feedback" and offered a list of who might have been there. Again, you must appreciate the absurdity of this statement. I will consider your advice that there are no records of these meetings further.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Thompson
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