133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
23 September 2021
Harold
By email: [FYI request #16507 email]
Ref:
H202111153
Tēnā koe Harold
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 26 August 2021.
I shall respond to each part of your request in turn.
“the contact tracing capacity of public health units needs to be reviewed...” If this review
has been completed, I request a copy.
“there needs to be a review of health system capacity and management systems for
dealing with possible large outbreaks of COVID-19.” If this review has been completed, I
request a copy of this as well.
The above parts of your request are refused under section 18(e) of the Act, the Ministry if
unaware of being commissioned to action the first two reviews outlined in your request.
“an additional testing requirement is being introduced to Managed Isolation Facilities…
This is a recommendation following the review of the Crowne Plaza case.” I request a
copy of this review”
To date, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) has not undertaken a formal review of the Crowne
Plaza managed isolation facility, in relation to suspected transmission incidents. However, the
Ministry has, as part of our commitment to continuous learning and review, made operational
improvements as and when indicated. This includes introducing a requirement for additional
testing.
The Crowne Plaza incident and subsequent introduction of additional returnee testing wil be
considered as part of a wider Management Isolation and Quarantine system review. Once
complete, this review wil be proactively released on the Ministry’s website.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.
Nāku noa, nā
Nick Allan
Manager, OIA Services
Office of the Deputy-General
Page 2 of 2