10 August 2021
Harold
[email address]
Reference: OIA-2020/21-0769
Dear Harold
Official Information Act request relating to the Reconnect New Zealand work
programme
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request received on 14 July 2021.
You requested:
I'd like to request a copy of the Reconnecting New Zealand work programme.
I also request copies of all briefings to Cabinet or any minister relating to the design
and implementation of this programme, dated since the beginning of April.
Finally, I request copies of all feedback and advice on this programme supplied to
DPMC by the Continuous Review, Improvement and Advice Group; Strategic
COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group; and the Business Leaders’ Forum, dated
since the beginning of April.
The information you have requested is currently under active consideration as final decisions
have yet to be made. Therefore, I am withholding this information under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of
the Act as the withholding of this information is necessary to maintain the constitutional
conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by
Ministers of the Crown and officials.
In making my decision, I have taken the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of the
Act into account.
It may interest you to know, at 9am on 12 August 2021 there will be an opportunity to hear
experts discuss the next steps in the reconnection strategy via livestream through the
following li
nk: covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new-zealand-to-the-world/ You have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate and review my decision under
section 28(3) of the Act.
We do not intend to publish this response on the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet’s website.
Yours sincerely
Cheryl Barnes
Deputy Chief Executive, COVID-19 Response
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4409034
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz
