14 September 2021
45 Pipitea Street, Wellington 6011
Phone +64 4 495 7200
Thayr
dia.govt.nz
fyi-request-16426-
[email address]
Dear Thayr
OIA request 21/22 0152 Request for information relating to citizenship processing timeframes
Thank you for your Official Information Act (Act) request received by the Department of Internal
Affairs (Department) on 17 August 2021.
You requested –
•
According to previous requests, the main reason for the slower application process is
implementing and using a new system. Can you provide which particular parts or issues
of the new system cause this big delay ?
•
The average of application processed was 2600 per month in 2019,2018 , but the
average of application processed between January-May 2021 is 1300 application, Why
even after more than one year of implementing new system average number of
application proceed per month between January-May 2021 much less than 2018 or 2019
? even though the number of people who are working processing applications are the
same or even more.
•
Why didn't DIA decide to go back to using the old system if it was much faster and took
less to process an application after one year of trying the new system for the whole year?
•
DIA said it will hire more people to help clear the backlog in August, did newly hired
people start working on processing applications or not yet ?
•
Can you provide number of processed application from June 2021 to August 2021 ?
In response to your request, I can advise that pursuant to section 15(1)(b) of the Act, the
Department has decided to provide you with the information you seek. However, we are still
working to prepare the Information for release and will provide it as soon as practicable. We
anticipate having the requested information to you no later than 8 October 2021.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Julia Taylor
Manager Operational Policy and Official Correspondence
Service Delivery and Operations
