24 August 2022
Sebastian
[FYI request #16692 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-0262
Dear Sebastian
Official
Information
Act
request
relating
to
Post
Operation
Deans
National Security System Review
I refer to your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), received
on 10 September 2021. Your request was for:
“1) Post Operation Deans National Security System Review
2)
National Security Group Business Plan”.
I wrote to you on 8 November 2021 withholding the document
Post Operation Deans
National Security System Review in full under the following sections of the Act:
• section 6(a), to protect the security or defence of New Zealand; and
• section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the
free and frank expression of opinion.
Subsequent to my response, you requested that the Office of the Ombudsman
investigate my decision to withhold this document within scope of your request.
Following notification of this, an assessment of the material was undertaken and found
that there are no longer grounds to withhold the Review.
The Review traversed a number of matters, many of which are now largely in the public
domain via the ongoing work to address the recommendations of the
Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on
15 March 2019, and through the “Lessons Learned” review of the Whakaari disaster.
Subsequently, I have determined that the review can now be released in full. Please
find attached the document
Post Operation Deans National Security System Review.
This revised response to your request will be published on the Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website during our regular publication cycle. Typically,
information is released monthly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal information
including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
Yours sincerely
Tony Lynch
Deputy Chief Executive, National Security Group
cc:
Office of the Ombudsman
Ombudsman reference: 571113
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
4597200
64 4 817 9698 www.dpmc.govt.nz