11 May 2021
Mr M Bell
by email:
[FYI request #15146 email]
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0525
Dear Mr Bell
Official Information Act request relating to information on the decision to extend the 28
April 2020 State of National Emergency
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request that was transferred to the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for response on 13 April 2021. You
requested:
1. “A copy of all data, information, statistics and scientific proof (related to the
severity of the COVID-19 disease, particularly its mortality rate or any other
data about COVID-19) which made you decide to extend the State of National
Emergency published here - www.beehive.govt.nz/release/state-national-
emergency-extended-5
2. All facts, data, information, statistics and scientific proof related to COVID-19
that made you decide that "the emergency is, or is likely to be, of such extent,
magnitude, or severity that the civil defence emergency management
necessary or desirable in respect of it is, or is likely to be, beyond the resources
of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups whose areas may be
affected by the emergency." as stated in section 66(1)(b) of the Civil Defence
Emergency Management Act 2002
3. A copy of all data, information, statistics and scientific proof (related to the
severity of the COVID-19 disease, particularly its mortality rate or any other
data about COVID-19) which was used to make the original declaration of a
State of Emergency published here - www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/prime-
minister%E2%80%99s-statement-state-national-emergency-and-epidemic-
notice (if this question is aimed at the wrong person or Minister, please provide
their contact details).”
The following information is within scope of your request and is publicly available on the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Unite against COVID-19 websites:
Item Date
Document Title
Website Address
1. 24/03/202
Briefing 20/29: Declari
ng a dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
National State of Emergency
-04/covid-19-sone.pdf
2. 30/03/202
Briefing 20/32: Extension of the
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
State of National Emergency for
-04/covid-19-first-extension-sone.pdf COVID-19
Level 4, Bowen House, Parliament Buildings | PO Box 5010 | Wellington 6145 | New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 830 5100 | [email address] | www.civildefence.govt.nz
3. 6/04/2021
Briefing 20/35: Sec
ond
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
Extension of the State of
-04/covid-19-sone-second-
National Emergency for COVID-
extension.pdf
19
4. 13/04/202
Briefing 20/39: Third Extension
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
of the State of National
-04/covid-19-sone-third-
Emergency for COVID-19
extension.pdf
5. 20/04/202
Briefing 20/43: Fourth Extension
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
of
the State of National
-04/covid-19-sone-fourth-
Emergency for COVID-19
extension.PDF
6. 27/04/202
Briefing 20/44: Fifth Extension of
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
the State of National Emergency
-04/covid-19-sone-fifth-extension-
for COVID-19
2.pdf
7. 4/05/2020
Briefing 20/50: Sixth Extension of
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
the State of National Emergency
-05/covid-19-sone-sixth-
for COVID-19
extension.pdf
8. 8/05/2020
Documents proactively released
covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-
on 8 May 2020
resources/legislation-and-key-
documents/proactive-release/alert-
levels-and-restrictions/#documents-
proactively-released-on-8-may
9. 12/05/202
Briefing 20/59: COVID-19
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
0
National Transition Period
-06/covid-19-national-transition-
period.pdf
10. 8/06/2020
Briefing 20/74: Termination of
dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020
National Transition Period
-07/covid-19-termination-of-national-
transition-period.pdf
Accordingly, I have refused your request for the documents listed in the above table under
section 18(d) of the Act, as the information requested is publicly available.
Some information has been removed from documents listed in the above table and continues
to be withheld under the Act, on the grounds identified in the documents. In making my
decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the Act into account.
You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under section
28(3) of the Act.
As this information is already publicly available, we do not intend to publish this response on
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Schwalger
Chief Executive, National Emergency Management Agency
4376799
2
